A disturbing incident in San Antonio, Texas, has led to the arrest of 33-year-old Ashley Pardo after she allegedly supplied her son with ammunition and tactical equipment in preparation for a planned attack on Rhodes Middle School. The alarming revelation surfaced when Pardo's middle school-aged son was found to be plotting what authorities termed as “mass targeted violence” against the school, attended by hundreds.
Authorities became involved when the student's grandmother reported worrisome behavior, including her grandson hitting a bullet with a hammer and claiming to have received the ammunition from his mother. Upon further investigation, officials discovered a detailed "suicide route" map of the school and sketches of rifles named after the educational institution, indicating a premeditated plan. The boy's fascination with mass shootings had previously been noted by school administrators, leading to his suspension after using a school computer to research the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
The situation took a severe turn when the student attempted suicide the day of his suspension, resulting in significant injuries requiring extensive medical attention. The escalation prompted the grandmother to alert the police, unveiling the extent of the boy's preparations, which included military-style apparel and an improvised explosive device with references to the Christchurch shooter and neo-Nazi symbolism.
In response to the threat, Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez informed parents of the measures taken to ensure the safety and security of the students and staff, emphasizing the seriousness with which they treat potential threats. This incident has rattled the school community and brought to the fore the issue of youth radicalization and the role of parental responsibility in preventing such tragedies.
