Mother accused of buying ammunition for son who planned 'mass violence' at middle school

A San Antonio mother was arrested after police say she aided in her son's plan of carrying out "targeted mass violence" at his Texas middle school, arrest documents say.

Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested on May 12 on a charge of aiding in the commission of terrorism, according to records filed in Bexar County court.

San Antonio Police say Bardo purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her son, who had "a fascination with past mass shooters," according to an arrest affidavit. It's unclear if Pardo has an attorney who can comment on her behalf.

Arrest records say the investigation began after law enforcement became aware of drawings by Pardo's son, which included a map of the school with the label "suicide route" and a sketch of a rifle.

Police spoke with him about the drawings in January. Two months later, he was suspended after researching on his school computer the 2019 mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand that killed more than 50 people, the arrest affidavit says. He was suspended and sent to a secondary school until May 7.

On May 12, a relative of the boy contacted police after she discovered an improvised explosive device, live ammunition and magazines for a rifle and a pistol in the boy's possession, according to arrest records. The boy had previously told the relative that his mother had bought him the ammunition and tactical gear, including a helmet and camouflage military fatigues.

The relative searched the boy's belongings after he told her "he was going to be famous" before his mom picked him up for school, the affidavit says.

Later that day, the boy was arrested off-campus, said Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez in a statement posted on the school's Facebook page.

"Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care," the statement said. "We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure."

The affidavit said Pardo was aware of her son's behavior and had told school officials that she was not concerned. She added that she supported her son's "violent expressions and drawings." Courts records also say she bought him the ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for him babysitting his younger siblings.

Pardo was released from custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the Bexar County criminal court docket.