A Texas mother was detained for allegedly buying ammunition and tactical equipment for her son, who was accused of plotting ‘mass violence’ at his middle school in San Antonio.
Ashley Pardo, 33, faced charges for aiding terrorism after she reportedly purchased various concerning items for her son like ammunition magazines, a tactical vest, a helmet, and military attire, according to an arrest affidavit.
The boy’s grandmother informed authorities that she discovered magazines filled with live bullets and an explosive device labeled with the words, ‘For Brenton Tarrant.’
Tarrant is a white supremacist who was convicted of killing over 50 people praying at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.
The grandmother also found a note with the names of mass shooters and their victims.
He allegedly told his grandmother that he was ‘going to be famous’ before Pardo picked him up from school on Monday morning, law enforcement told ABC News.
The grandmother had seen the boy ‘hitting a live bullet with a hammer’ and he allegedly told her that Pardo purchased him ‘guns and ammunition.’
Pardo had allegedly bought the gear for her son in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings, the arrest affidavit noted.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested and charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism for allegedly purchasing ammunition and gear for her son, knowing his pattern of violent behavior
Her son allegedly planned the violent attack against Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio, Texas
The boy’s grandmother told authorities she found a device that had the words, ‘For Brenton Tarrant,’ written on it. (Pictured – Tarrant sitting for his sentencing hearing on August 27, 2020)
The grandmother notified authorities on Monday morning, and the boy allegedly arrived at school in a camouflage jacket, mask, and tactical pants.
Shortly after he arrived, school officials couldn’t find him and called San Antonio police officers out of fear that the boy was planning to initiate an attack.
Rhodes Middle School released a statement notifying the community that the student was ‘detained off-campus’ and was arrested on terrorism charges.
The school also noted that police were investigating concerning posts the boy made online.
Pardo was previously contacted by Child Protective Services for her son’s desire to ‘commit acts of violence,’ the affidavit noted.
In January, she was contacted after drawings were found of the boy’s school, which included a map that was labeled ‘suicide route.’
Authorities said the boy had a ‘fascination with past mass shooters,’ and alleged that Pardo knew this and ‘intentionally’ aided his alarming behavior.
Then again in April, the boy was found researching the Christchurch shooting on a school-issued computer and was suspended.
Tarrant was a white supremacist and was convicted of killing over 50 people praying at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019
A day later, he ‘attempted suicide with a straight razor causing significant injuries and requiring over 100 stitches,’ according to the affidavit.
Pardo told police that despite her son’s pattern of behavior, she wasn’t concerned about his actions.
She was arrested with a felony charge on Monday and posted her $75,000 bond a day later. Pardo is due back in court on July 17 for a pre-indictment hearing.
Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez wrote in a statement that the district takes ‘all potential threats seriously.’
‘We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure,’ Martinez added.
DailyMail.com reached out to Bexar County Sheriff’s Office for more information but didn’t immediately hear back.
