Detectives say Ashley Pardo “expressed to the school her support” of her child’s “violent expressions.”
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio mother is accused of “facilitating” her son’s “desire to carry out threats” of mass violence against an SAISD middle school and now faces charges, according to arrest documents.
An affidavit states 33-year-old Ashley Pardo was arrested Monday following an investigation into threats made by her son, a student at Rhodes Middle School on the city’s inner west side.
In January, detectives state that the student was contacted in reference to concerning drawings of the school he currently attended, including a map of the school labeled “suicide route.” The student reportedly wrote out the name of the school with a muzzle flash drawn above it along with time stamps.
Authorities say the student described to them a fascination with past mass shooters and their manifestos.
In April, the student was found to be researching the Christ Mosque shooting on a school-issued computer, according to the warrant. Officials say he was suspended.
Detectives state the student attended an alternative school before returning to his home campus on May 8. School officials implemented a security plan upon his return due to continuing concerns of targeted mass violence.
Records show the student had been staying at a relative’s home off and on due to his behavior. That relative was contacted by law enforcement over concerns of items she found in her home belonging to him.
The woman told detectives she had found him hitting a live bullet with a hammer and stopped him. It was discovered that he got the ammunition from his mother who had been taking him to a surplus store and buying him tactile gear in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings, according to the arrest affidavit.
Documents describe the items purchased for the boy by his mother including magazines, tactical black vest capable of concealing ballistic plates, tactical black helmet and various army clothing.
The boy’s relative told detectives that, on the morning before going to school, he told her he was “going to be famous” and made mention of “14 words” — in reference to white supremacy writings. He was picked up by his mother and left to school.
Upon a search of the student’s room, arrest documents say the relative found the magazines loaded with live ammo. She also reportedly discovered an improvised explosive device using a mortar style firework wrapped in duct tape with the words “For Brenton Tarrant” — the gunman in the 2019 New Zealand mosque mass shooting that killed 52 people.
There was also a note discovered by the boy’s relative in his handwriting that listed the names of mass shooters and the number of victims, records state.
The arrest warrant states the student’s mother, Ashley Pardo, was made aware of the threats made by her son and had been in contact with police, CPS and school personnel. Detectives say she expressed to the school her support of her son’s violent expressions and drawings and did not feel concerned for his behavior.
Officials said her refusal to acknowledge her son’s concerning behavior and assistance in gathering items for him that have been found to be used in other acts of targeted mass violence, lead investigators to find her responsible for facilitating his desire to carry out his threats.
Pardo was arrested and charged with Aiding in Commission of Terrorism. She is out on a bond set at $75,000.
On Monday, school officials confirmed the student was detained off-campus and faces a charge for Terrorism.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care,” said Rhodes Middle School Principal Felismina Martinez. “We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure.”