Texas mother Ashley Pardo faces terrorism charges for buying ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son despite multiple warnings he planned a mass attack at his middle school, complete with Nazi symbols and improvised explosives.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo bought tactical gear and ammunition for her 13-year-old son who planned violence at his middle school, leading to her arrest on terrorism charges.
- Prior to the incident, the mother had been warned multiple times by law enforcement, school officials, and Child Protective Services about her son’s concerning behavior.
- The boy appeared at school in tactical gear but left before committing violence; authorities later found an improvised explosive device with white supremacy symbols in his possession.
- This case represents a growing trend of holding parents legally accountable for enabling potential school violence, similar to the Michigan Crumbley parents who received 10-year sentences.
Mother Enabled Son’s Violent Plans Despite Multiple Warnings
A 33-year-old San Antonio mother has been charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism after allegedly supplying her teenage son with the tools he intended to use for a violent attack at his middle school. According to court documents, Ashley Pardo purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son despite clear knowledge of his plans to commit “acts of mass violence” at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School. The case has sent shockwaves through the community as investigators revealed the boy had assembled materials for an improvised explosive device and possessed items with white supremacist imagery.
Prior to the incident, Pardo had received multiple warnings about her son’s disturbing behavior from school officials, law enforcement, and Child Protective Services. The warnings came after the boy had reportedly made violent drawings and researched mass shootings. Despite these red flags, Pardo allegedly rewarded her son with ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for babysitting services. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus didn’t mince words about the mother’s behavior, stating: “She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior. Her behavior is not only dangerous, it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.”
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Alarming Discovery Prevented Potential Tragedy
The situation came to a head when the boy’s grandmother contacted police after finding him hitting a live bullet with a hammer. A subsequent family report revealed the discovery of ammunition, tactical gear, and an improvised explosive device in the student’s possession. Court documents state the explosive device contained references to the Christchurch shooter and displayed white supremacy symbols. On the day of the potential attack, the student arrived at school wearing tactical gear and a mask but left the campus before carrying out any violence. This prompt response by school officials may have prevented a tragic outcome.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care. We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure,” said Felismina Martinez, the school principal, in a message to parents following the incident.
Following the incident, the school increased security measures and conducted a sweep for additional threats. The student was found off-campus, taken into custody, and charged with terrorism. A search of the family home reportedly uncovered additional disturbing items, including Nazi swastikas. Pardo has been released on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled for a pre-indictment hearing on July 17. Legal experts note this case is unusual because no actual attack occurred, making the charges against the parent particularly significant.
New Legal Precedent for Parental Accountability
This case represents a growing trend of holding parents legally accountable for enabling potential school violence. Pardo was charged under a recently passed Texas law that details specific terrorism charges and establishes a state registry for such crimes. The legislation, authored by Republican state Senator Phil King, was designed to help law enforcement identify potential threats before they materialize into violence. Legal experts say this reflects a significant shift in how the justice system approaches the role of parents in preventing school shootings.
“Laws are headed in this direction … because of the tragic consequences that can ensue if a parent continues to neglect their responsibilities. What we’ve had in place so far clearly has not worked. We have to do something else because the consequences are so tragic and so dire,” said Michael Wynne, a criminal defense attorney.
The case draws parallels to the high-profile Michigan case involving Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were sentenced to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after their son carried out a deadly school shooting. While that case resulted in actual violence, the Texas case suggests authorities are no longer waiting for tragedy to strike before holding parents accountable. Gun safety advocates argue these cases represent necessary progress in preventing school violence by ensuring that parents take seriously their responsibility to keep weapons and dangerous materials away from troubled children before they can harm others.
