A Texas mother, known for her purple hair and a past marked by violent behavior, is now facing serious new charges. She allegedly equipped her 13-year-old son with weapons in a thwarted plan to cause mass harm at his San Antonio middle school.
Ashley Pardo, aged 33, was taken into custody on Friday, bearing a fresh charge of endangering a child through criminal negligence. This follows her previous accusation of being the first in Bexar County to be charged with aiding terrorism.
Court documents reveal that Pardo obtained ammunition, tactical gear, and loaded magazines for her son. Authorities report that he had drawn alarming maps of his school with labels like “suicide route,” admired white supremacist mass shooters, and intended to commit a violent attack at Rhodes Middle School.
According to the arrest affidavit, Pardo allegedly gave her son the tactical equipment ‘in exchange for babysitting his siblings’.
Chilling evidence includes a photograph where Pardo is allegedly seen holding a shotgun near the head of an 11-month-old baby, her finger placed on the trigger guard, while the child is pictured reaching for the barrel.
‘Tell her to keep being bad,’ she reportedly texted, calling the infant a ‘brat.’
Currently detained, Pardo was instructed on Friday not to have any contact with her children. If released on bond, she’s required to wear an ankle monitor. Furthermore, the court prohibited her from owning firearms or consuming alcohol. According to police, she displayed no signs of regret.
‘She seemed nonchalant and indifferent to her son’s actions,’ San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stated in a news conference held in May.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested on Friday on a new charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence, just months after being accused of aiding in the commission of terrorism
Pardo is alleged to have armed her 13-year-old son in a foiled plot to unleash mass violence at his San Antonio middle school
San Antonio Independent School District officials discovered violent drawings in the boy’s possession including maps of Rhodes Middle School labeled with deadly precision
‘Her behavior is not only dangerous – it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.’
The teen, who had previously been found hitting a live bullet with a hammer and researching the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre, told his grandmother he was ‘going to be famous,’ referencing Brenton Tarrant, the New Zealand white supremacist responsible for killing 51 Muslims.
Investigators say Pardo bought her son a tactical vest, helmet, camouflage clothing, and loaded magazines, one of which was inscribed with the words ‘For Brenton Tarrant.’
Other items in their home were marked with white supremacist slogans and symbols, including ’14 words,’ ‘SS,’ and swastikas, according to police.
Inside their home, authorities found an improvised explosive device, disturbing handwritten notes listing the names of mass shooters and victims, and evidence of a deeply rooted fascination with violence, yet Pardo claimed she wasn’t worried.
The chilling saga began months earlier, when San Antonio Independent School District officials discovered violent drawings in the boy’s possession including maps of Rhodes Middle School labeled with deadly precision.
‘We have to take every threat seriously,’ said Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez in a letter home to parents. ‘And we will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure.’
In January, officials found a sketch labeled ‘suicide route’ next to the school’s name and a drawing of a rifle.
Pardo was arrested on Friday after investigators found photos of her pointing the shotgun at the infant, which she sent to the child’s father
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)
Tarrant was a white supremacist and was convicted of killing over 50 people praying at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019
In April, the teen was caught researching the Christchurch shooting on a school-issued laptop.
That same day, he attempted suicide with a straight razor, leaving him with more than 100 stitches.
Despite such red flags, the district allowed the student to return to campus on May 8 after serving time in an alternative program. The School police said they had no choice.
‘I can understand the parents’ concerns,’ said SAISD Police Chief Johnny Reyes. ‘But again, the students still have a right to be in school unless it poses an immediate threat.’
On May 12, just four days after his return, the teen arrived on campus wearing a mask, tactical pants, and a camouflage jacket. He vanished moments later. Fearing the worst, school officials contacted police.
The teen was found off-campus and arrested. Inside the family’s home and in his possession, investigators uncovered the disturbing arsenal and materials. That same day, Pardo was taken into custody.
Pardo was charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism – a new charge established in Texas in 2023.
McManus said the family’s behavior, coupled with what was found inside their home, forced authorities to act fast.
‘There were some very disturbing things found inside that house,’ he said. ‘That kind of was an indication to us that we needed to move very quickly.’
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested and charged in May with aiding in the commission of terrorism for allegedly purchasing ammunition and gear for her son, knowing his pattern of violent behavior
On Friday, the magistrate judge handed Pardo a $45,000 bond for the new charge, and she was ordered to have no contact with her children
Court documents the 13-year-old expressed a desire to carry out ‘acts of mass violence’ at Rhodes Middle School
The FBI joined the investigation, and Child Protective Services had already been involved with the family for months reports KSAT.
A timeline of missed chances and escalating threats emerged:
- June 2023: The boy was caught on surveillance setting fire to dumpsters near his apartment complex.
- October 2024: CPS flagged the family for behavior that could indicate future violence.
- January 2025: The teen drew maps of his school, labeling ‘suicide route.’
- April: He was suspended after researching mass shootings; attempted suicide the same day.
- May 11: A family member found an IED, tactical gear, and bullets – then alerted police.
Pardo, who was partially on house arrest after initially bonding out in May, claimed the restrictions were ‘too much.’ A judge eventually allowed her to pursue employment under supervision.
The grandmother, who has since been denied custody of the teen, testified that she found ‘loaded magazines, an explosive device, and notes referencing Brenton Tarrant.’
She told police she believed the boy was manipulated and abused by Pardo and that he posed no danger under her care.
The judge disagreed and the teen remains in custody, facing a felony weapons charge, with more charges expected. His next hearing is set for next Thursday.
Pardo’s future is equally uncertain. Her bond for the child endangerment charge was set at $45,000.
If released, she will remain under electronic monitoring and barred from any contact with her children.
