Texas Mother Accused of Supporting Son’s Plans for Mass Shooting at Middle School

May 15, 2025 Gloria Shaw

A Texas woman has been arrested for allegedly supporting her son’s intentions to carry out a mass shooting at his middle school, including purchasing him tactical gear and live ammunition, and expressing support for his violent ideologies.

Ashley Pardo, 33, was taken into custody on Monday after law enforcement was alerted to alarming behavior exhibited by her middle school-aged son. Authorities say the boy expressed a fascination with past mass shootings and had made disturbing threats.

The San Antonio Police Department’s behavioral threat team was contacted by a family member—identified as the boy’s grandmother—after she discovered a loaded rifle and pistol magazines in their shared home.

An affidavit reveals that just prior to being picked up for school, the boy told his grandmother he was “going to be famous” and referenced the “14 words,” a phrase commonly associated with white supremacist ideology. She also reportedly found an improvised explosive device in his room with a name written on it, suggesting it was intended for a specific individual, as well as additional white supremacist materials.

The grandmother told police that at one point she caught the boy striking a live bullet with a hammer in an apparent attempt to cause an explosion. When she confronted him, he claimed his mother had provided him with the ammunition.

Authorities had already been monitoring the boy since January after he drew concerning images of Rhodes Middle School, including depictions of muzzle flashes and a “suicide route” map. He was suspended in April after he used a school-issued device to research the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.

Due to his escalating behavior, he was transferred to an alternative school and placed in the care of his grandmother, while school officials developed a security plan in preparation for his potential return.

During interviews with investigators, Pardo downplayed her son’s behavior and expressed “support for his violent ideologies and drawings.” She admitted to buying him tactical equipment and live rounds as a form of compensation for watching his younger siblings.

The affidavit states, “[Pardo’s] refusal to see [her son’s] concerning behavior and her assistance in gathering items for him that have been found to have been used in other acts of mass targeted violence, it is believed she is facilitating [her son’s] desire to carry out his threats.”

Rhodes Middle School confirmed in a letter to families that the boy has been detained and is facing a charge of terrorism. Pardo has been charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism.

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She is scheduled to appear in court on July 17 after posting a $75,000 bond.