A Texas mother with a violent past is facing new criminal charges after allegedly supplying her 13-year-old son with weapons and gear for a planned mass shooting at a San Antonio school.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested Friday on a new charge of child endangerment with criminal negligence. She had previously made headlines as the first person in Bexar County history charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism.
Disturbing Evidence Uncovered
According to court documents, Pardo provided her son with ammunition, tactical gear, and loaded magazines in what officials say was preparation for a planned massacre at Rhodes Middle School. Authorities say the boy idolized white supremacist shooters and had drawn maps of the school labeled with terms like “suicide route.”
The arrest affidavit claims Pardo gave her son tactical equipment as a reward for babysitting his siblings.
In one incident, Pardo allegedly sent a photo to the father of an infant, showing herself holding a shotgun near the baby’s head while the child reached for the barrel. She allegedly texted, “Tell her to keep being bad,” referring to the infant as a “brat.”
Pardo is now in jail. A judge ordered her to wear an ankle monitor if released, banned her from seeing her children, and prohibited firearm or alcohol use.
“She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said. “Her behavior is not only dangerous — it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent.”
Teen’s Obsession with Mass Violence
The teen had previously been caught striking a live bullet with a hammer and researching the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack. He reportedly told his grandmother he would “be famous,” referencing the white supremacist gunman who killed 51 Muslims in New Zealand.
Authorities say Pardo purchased her son a tactical vest, helmet, camouflage clothing, and magazines — one marked “For Brenton Tarrant.” The family home reportedly contained additional white supremacist slogans and symbols including “14 words,” “SS,” and swastikas.
Investigators also found an improvised explosive device, handwritten lists of mass shooters and victims, and notes revealing a fixation on violence. Despite this, Pardo allegedly showed no concern.
Warning Signs Ignored
The school district had multiple red flags in the months leading up to the arrest:
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January: The teen drew a map of Rhodes Middle School labeled “suicide route” alongside a rifle sketch.
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April: Caught researching mass shootings on a school laptop; attempted suicide the same day, requiring over 100 stitches.
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May 8: Returned to school after time in an alternative program.
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May 11: Family member discovered an IED, bullets, and gear; alerted police.
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May 12: Teen arrived at school in tactical clothing and disappeared from campus.
The boy was later arrested off-site, and police uncovered the arsenal inside the home. That same day, Pardo was arrested.
The district defended allowing the student back, saying there was no “immediate threat” at the time. “I can understand the parents’ concerns,” said SAISD Police Chief Johnny Reyes. “But students still have a right to be in school.”
Legal Fallout
Pardo was initially placed under partial house arrest but later received limited work privileges. Her new bond was set at $45,000.
The teen remains in custody and is facing a felony weapons charge, with more charges expected. A judge denied his grandmother custody after she claimed he posed no threat under her care. She testified that Pardo had manipulated the boy and that she discovered weapons and notes referencing Tarrant.
The teen’s next court hearing is scheduled for next Thursday. Pardo, if released, will remain under electronic monitoring and barred from contacting her children.
