Court documents reveal that a Texas mother allegedly supplied her 13-year-old son with ammunition and tactical gear.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested on Monday by the San Antonio Police Department. She faces accusations of supporting the Terrorist Commission for providing such materials to her child.
The affidavit states the boy referred to their “manifesto” as being fascinated by infamous shooters from history.
Pardo secured release on a $75,000 bond on Tuesday, records show.
In January, concerns arose at Rhodes Middle School when staff noticed the boy’s troubling expressions and drawings, as noted in an affidavit. He had reportedly sketched a map of the school, labeling it a “suicide route,” and associated it with a rifle.
This boy described his “manifesto” to school officials, claiming admiration for past notorious figures.
Interestingly, Pardo reportedly defended her son’s drawings, suggesting they merely reflected his artistic freedom rather than any intent to commit violence. According to the affidavit, she expressed support for her son’s troubling expressions and indicated no worries about his behavior.
In April, school administrators intervened after discovering he was using a school-issued computer to read about the Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 51 people.
The boy also mentioned an attempted suicide that required extensive medical treatment. Additionally, he spent time with his grandmother on various occasions.
On Monday, the grandmother contacted police upon seeing the boy striking a bullet with a hammer, which he claimed he got from his mother. Pardo allegedly acknowledged possessing a gun and ammunition at home.
According to the grandmother, Pardo had taken the boy to a surplus store to purchase a magazine, purportedly as a reward for babysitting tasks.
During their conversation, the boy declared, “I’m going to be famous.”
The grandmother later searched his room and found various rounds of live ammunition, alongside an improvised explosive device fashioned from mortar-style fireworks, complete with duct tape. Notably, the device contained references to a previous mass shooting and hinted at extremist ideologies.
Pardo has been noted to acknowledge the threats posed by her son but described conversations with local authorities and school officials as “boring.”
The boy arrived at school on Monday dressed in tactical gear, including a camouflage jacket and mask, but left shortly after his arrival.
In a letter to parents, Rhodes Middle School’s principal, Ferrismina Martinez, explained that the boy was detained off campus and charged with terrorism, reinforcing their commitment to student safety.
Authorities have indicated plans for large-scale interventions relating to potential targeted violence among middle school students.
The juvenile is currently held at a Bexar County Juvenile Detention Facility, with a decision from the judge pending. Pardo is set to attend a pre-submission hearing on July 17.
