According to police and court documents, a mother from Texas has been accused of helping her son plan a terror attack against his middle school by purchasing ammunition and tactical equipment for him.
Ashley Rosalinda Pardo, 33, was taken into custody in San Antonio on Monday on one count of aiding and abetting terrorism.
According to authorities, she bought her 13-year-old son the disturbing products after allegedly dismissing his violent drawings and preoccupation with mass shootings.
The son, a student at San Antonio’s Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School, was taken into custody and charged with terrorism, according to San Antonio Police on Thursday. Due to his underage status, he was not identified.
In January, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told reporters during a news conference that the youngster had initially drawn violent, unsettling pictures of his school and “expressed a fascination with mass shootings.”
Police interacted with him and his family on a regular basis after that, providing resources and services.
The child was suspended months later in April for using a school-provided computer to conduct research on mass shootings. According to McManus, he tried suicide on the day of his suspension.
While he was suspended, he went to an alternative school. Rhodes Middle School stepped up security when he returned there in May, and police stayed in touch with the family.
On May 11, the youngster was observed by a family member “hitting a live bullet with a hammer.” According to McManus, the youngster told the relative that “his mother bought him the bullet and tactical gear.”
According to the affidavit, WOAI claimed that the family member was identified as the boy’s grandmother. According to WOAI, which cited the affidavit, the grandmother found out from the boy that Pardo had been taking her son to military surplus stores, where she bought military gear such as a tactical helmet, tactical vest, and various handgun and rifle magazines, purportedly in return for watching his younger siblings.
When the grandmother searched the child’s room, she discovered magazines full of ammo, an improvised explosive device created with a mortar-style firework, and a message on the kitchen table that made references to white supremacist, Nazi, and mass killings.
The grandma found the ammunition and called the police on Monday.
Wearing a mask and tactical gear, the youngster came at Rhodes Middle School on Monday but fled soon after. According to the police, it’s unclear if he was carrying a weapon at the time.
Following the tip, police obtained a warrant and found the minor “before anyone was harmed,” according to McManus.
That same day, Pardo was taken into custody.
Police, the school, and child protective services had already contacted Pardo, according to McManus, but “she appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior.”
“As a parent, her behavior is not only dangerous, but disgusting,” McManus stated.
According to a statement from San Antonio’s Rhodes Middle School, the youngster was taken into custody for making anonymous remarks online.
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“I would like to let you know of an incident involving a pupil. A concern regarding some of the student’s internet posts was looked into by our police department. The student is facing terrorist charges after being arrested off campus. Principal Felismina Martinez stated, “Please know that we take all possible threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care.”
The boy is still being held. According to officials, this is the first time a person in Bexar County has been charged with terrorism.
On Tuesday, Pardo posted a $75,000 surety bond. Court records do not currently name her attorney.
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According to online court records, her pre-indictment hearing is scheduled on July 17 and she has not entered a plea.
She is required to wear a GPS, stay at home, submit to weekly drug and alcohol tests, and refrain from owning guns as part of her bail requirements.
