A 13-year-old boy’s mother rewarded him with ammunition and tactical gear for babysitting while he planned a mass shooting, according to police.
The teenager, who has not been identified, allegedly planned to commit “mass targeted violence” at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio, Texas, after idolizing white supremacist mass shooters.
He was detained at the school on May 12, months after police were first alerted to mass shooting concerns.
His mother, Ashley Pardo, 33, is the first person in Bexar County history to face a charge of aiding in the commission of terrorism, a crime that was only established in the state in 2023.
She made a number of disturbing purchases on his behalf, including tactical gear, ammunition magazines, a helmet, and army clothing, according to an arrest affidavit.
The document stated that the purchases were part of an agreement for her son to babysit his siblings.
Despite being aware of her son’s threats and “violent expressions and drawings,” Pardo purchased the items “with knowledge” that they would be “used to plan and carry out” a crime, according to the affidavit.
Child Protective Services had previously warned her that her son had a desire “to commit acts of violence”.
“She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said at the time of her arrest.
“Her behavior is not only dangerous – it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.”
Authorities claim that with her sick babysitting rewards, she “intentionally” helped him achieve his violent goal.
SICK FASCINATION
Cops first approached the boy about his disturbing behavior and “fascination with previous mass shooters” in January, when they discussed “drawings of the local school he currently attends.”
According to the affidavit, these included a school map labeled “suicide route” as well as a drawing of a rifle and the school name.
Three months later, in April, disturbing searches on a school computer were reported to cops as the teenager investigated the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting in New Zealand.
Brenton Tarrant, a far-right terrorist, shot and killed 51 people while they were praying.
Following the disturbing web searches, the teen was suspended from school and relocated until May 7.
During that time, the boy’s grandmother called the police after discovering him “hitting a live bullet with a hammer,” according to the affidavit.
He allegedly told her that his mother had given him the bullet and that she had “guns and ammunition at her house”.
According to the affidavit, Pardo would take the teen to a local store to buy ammunition and a tactical vest “capable of concealing ballistic plates” and other gear.
CHILLING DISCOVERY
On May 12, the teen allegedly told his grandmother he was “going to be famous” before his mother came to pick him up to take him to school.
The boy’s grandmother then made a chilling discovery in his bedroom.
According to officials, she discovered live rifle ammunition, loaded pistol magazines, and a “improvised explosive advice” with “For Brenton Tarrant” written on it, as well as white supremacist symbols such as “SS” and “14 words”.
The affidavit also stated that she discovered a note written by the boy detailing previous mass shootings, suspects, and the number of victims.
That Monday, school officials told police that the teenager showed up wearing a camouflage jacket, mask, and tactical pants before disappearing.
His disappearance raised concerns at the school that he was planning an imminent attack, and San Antonio police quickly located him.
Timeline of boy’s disturbing behavior
June 2023: He was caught on CCTV setting fire to dumpsters near his apartment complex causing a series of blazes.
October 2024: Child Protective Services alerted family that his behavior could be a sign that he would commit further violence in future.
January 2025: Drawings of ‘suicide route’ school map found and he “expressed fascination with mass shootings”.
“From this point on, police continuously met with the juvenile and his family, offering them to connect the family with resources and services,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said.
April 2025: Suspended after disturbing web searches about mass shootings were flagged.
He attempts suicide.
May 2025: Boy returned to Rhodes Middle School and security is ramped up.
He started hitting a live bullet with a hammer, and told relative that his mother had bought it for him along with tactical gear.
The following day, his grandmother finds ammunition, tactical gear, and IED with covered in white supremacist symbols.
He arrives to school in mask, camouflage jacket and tactical pants before vanishing, sparking school shooting fears and arrest of boy and his mother.
School principal Felismina Martinez later informed parents in a letter that the boy had been “detained off-campus and is being charged with terrorism”.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care,” she added.
CHILD ENDANGERMENT ARREST
Pardo, who was arrested on a felony terror charge in May, posted a $75,000 bond and was placed on house arrest, but was arrested again on Friday for endangering a child through criminal negligence.
Among the evidence discovered in connection with the terror charge was a photo she allegedly sent to the father of an 11-month-old baby in March 2023.
In it, she is seen holding a shotgun near the child’s head, her finger on the trigger guard, while the baby reaches for the weapon’s barrel.
“Tell her to keep being bad,” Pardo allegedly texted the man, calling the baby a “brat”.
Her husband, Mario Porras, was arrested in May on the same child endangerment charge, according to jail records.
Pardo is now in police custody and is unable to contact her children.
The judge ordered her to wear an ankle monitor if she paid the $45,000 bond and was released.
She is also prohibited from possessing a firearm or drinking alcohol.
Meanwhile, her son remains in police custody on a felony weapon charge, and more charges are expected to be filed against him after his grandmother’s custody appeal was denied.
She told cops that the teen had been abused and manipulated by his mother and posed no danger in her care, which the judge disagreed with.
The boy’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 7, while his mother is also awaiting indictment.
