SAN ANTONIO – A mother accused of buying ammunition and tactical gear for her son was “dismissive and unconcerned” with his behavior even though he planned to carry out acts of violence, according to San Antonio police Chief William McManus.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested Monday, May 12, on a charge of aiding in commission of terrorism, court records show.
During a news conference on Thursday, May 15, McManus said it was the first instance of someone facing that charge in Bexar County. The charge was established in 2023.
McManus said Pardo’s son, 13, “first came to police attention after drawing disturbing images of his school and expressing a fascination with mass shootings.”
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Pardo bought ammunition, magazines and tactical gear for her son, who had expressed a desire to carry out “acts of mass violence” at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in SAISD.
She bought the items “with knowledge” that they would be “used to plan and carry out” a crime, the affidavit said.
On Monday, May 12, the student showed up to the Rhodes Middle School campus “wearing a mask, camouflage jacket and tactical pants but left shortly after,” San Antonio police said.
>>Thwarted attack: SAISD defends policy after student, 13, allowed back on campus following suspension
The student was later found off-campus and charged with terrorism, according to school officials.
Here’s what we know about the case.
Timeline
McManus and an arrest warrant affidavit provided the following timeline of events in the case:
- October 2024: Child Protective Services was involved with SAPD and the family, where CPS “broke down behavior that would be indicative of something that would lead to violence,” McManus said. “They noticed things of that nature when dealing with the family, and they reported it to us.”
- January: The teen was found in school “drawing violent pictures,” McManus said. They featured the school’s name written beside a rifle and a map of the campus labeled “suicide route,” according to authorities. There were timestamps written on the drawing. “From this point on, police continuously met with the juvenile and his family, offering them to connect the family with resources and services,” McManus said.
- April: The teen was found researching a mass shooting in New Zealand on a school computer, McManus said. He had “described a fascination with past mass shooters,” the affidavit states. He was suspended and attempted to die by suicide the same day, according to the chief.
- Thursday, May 8: The student was allowed back on campus at Rhodes Middle School. Police said they increased security as a result of his return and remained in contact with his family.
- Sunday, May 11: McManus said the teen was seen hitting a live bullet with a hammer at a relative’s house. The teen told the individual that his mother bought him the bullet and tactical gear.
- Monday, May 12: The family member found loaded magazines and an improvised explosive device and immediately contacted police. The student arrived at Rhodes Middle School wearing a mask and tactical gear but left shortly after, according to police. It‘s unknown if he had a weapon. The school added extra security and police officers and swept the campus for potential devices.
- Monday, May 12: A witness implicated the mother as being involved in the son’s activity, McManus said.
- Monday, May 12: Pardo and her son were arrested. Pardo was issued a $75,000 bond.
- Tuesday, May 13: Pardo was released from Bexar County Jail after posting bail, records show.
- Thursday, May 22: Pardo’s son attended two court hearings focused on his detention status and media access. A Bexar County judge ordered that he remain in custody. Court records show the teen was also previously charged in an arson case, which ended in a mistrial. The Fourth Court of Appeals heard the case Thursday morning and will later decide whether to uphold the court’s decision, which could prevent him from being retried on that charge.
- Friday, May 30: Pardo argued on the stand that being placed on full house arrest was “too restrictive.” A Bexar County judge granted Pardo partial house arrest, allowing her to pursue employment.
- Thursday, June 5: Pardo’s son was ordered to remain in custody after his defense attorney asked for the teen to be released with a GPS monitor under the care of his grandmother.
‘Disturbing things’ found in Pardo‘s home
Pardo had previously been approached about her son’s behavior by local law enforcement, Child Protective Services and school officials, police said.
“She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior,” McManus said Thursday. “Her behavior is not only dangerous, it‘s abhorrent, especially as a parent."
On Sunday, a family member contacted SAPD about items found in the possession of Pardo‘s son, including rifle and pistol ammunition, black tactical gear and an improvised explosive device made from a mortar-style firework.
The family member also stated they found three loaded magazines and a note that had several names of mass shooters written on it. Some of the items were inscribed with “14 words” and “SS” symbols, references to white supremacy language and previous mass shootings, detectives said.
On Thursday, McManus said he did not know if Pardo’s son is linked to white supremacy groups.
“There were some ... indications that there were Nazi swastikas and things like that that were found in the home,” he said. "I’ll tell you one thing, there were some very disturbing things that were found inside the mother‘s house, that child’s house, which also kind of was an indication to us that we needed to move very quickly."
The FBI was involved in the investigation.
SAISD: Teen had ‘a right to be in school’
On Thursday, SAISD police Chief Johnny Reyes said the 13-year-old served his time in an alternative school following the April incident and had a legal right to return to his home campus.
Suspensions are handed down case-by-case, Reyes said.
Timelines are based on input by hearing officers, parents, and other members of SAISD staff, he said.
“I can understand the parents’ concerns ... but again, the students still have a right to be in school unless it poses an immediate threat,“ he said. ”We have to follow the rules that govern that student being allowed on campus."
Thursday’s news conference was the first time SAISD responded to KSAT‘s questions.
In a written statement, SAISD told KSAT that additional details could not be provided during the active investigation.
“It is essential to know we have strict protocols in place to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff,” the district’s statement stated. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff will always be our highest priority.”
First person in Bexar County to face new criminal charge
The charge of aiding in commission of terrorism went into effect in 2023 with the 88th Texas Legislative session.
McManus said the charge applied to Pardo because she assisted him in obtaining tools for her son as he planned to commit an act of violence.
“The mother assisted him in buying that tactical gear for him and bought ammunition,” he said.
What‘s next for Pardo and her son
McManus said Pardo and her son “will have their day in court.”
On May 22, Pardo’s son attended two court hearings focused on his detention status and media access.
On Thursday, a Bexar County judge ordered that he remain in custody after his defense attorney asked for the teen to be released with a GPS monitor under the care of his grandmother.
Pardo’s bond was slightly modified from full to partial house arrest, allowing her to pursue employment.
“We’ll continue to work with school officials and our partners to protect the community,” McManus added.
Letter from Rhodes Middle School principal
Read the letter school officials sent to parents below:
Dear Families,
I want to inform you of an incident that involved a student. Our police department investigated a concern with some posts the student made online. The student was detained off-campus and is being charged with Terrorism. Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care.
We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure. Student safety is a top priority at SAISD schools, and we want to keep families informed of situations as soon as we are able. We thank you for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Felismina Martinez, Principal
Rhodes Middle School
The school is located on the West Side between Zarzamora and Castroville roads.
Pardo worked at St. Mary’s Strip bar
Pardo was employed at Cream 2, a bar on the St. Mary’s Strip, before her arrest.
In a statement on Instagram, Cream 2 said Pardo was removed from their team immediately.
“We found out about the situation with Ashley and her charges the same way y’all did and removed her from the team immediately,” the statement read, in part. “Her choices in her personal life do not represent Cream. She worked 2 shifts a week and left fast. What she did on her own time outside of work we had no control over.”
Pardo’s son appears in court
The SAISD student attended two court hearings on Thursday, where the proceedings focused on his detention status and media access.
During a hearing on Thursday, the teen’s attorneys filed motions to restrict media access, arguing that the extensive media coverage and the teen’s age entitled him to closed hearings.
Judge William Cruz Shaw denied the motion based on public transparency but ruled that the teen’s identity and face should not be shown due to his juvenile status.
Shaw ordered that he remain in custody and scheduled another detention hearing for the morning of June 5.
According to court records, the teen was also previously charged in an arson case, which ended in a mistrial.
In a hearing on Friday, June 5, Pardo’s son was ordered to remain in custody after his defense attorney asked for him to be released with a GPS monitor under the care of his grandmother.
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