A Texas woman is accused of helping her middle school son gather supplies for his plans to carry out a school shooting in San Antonio.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that Ashley Pardo, 33, has been charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism. A judge set her bail at $75,000.
Pardo's son, a student at Rhodes Middle School in the San Antonio district, was detained off-campus Monday after district police investigated online posts he had made, according to a letter sent to families by Principal Felismina Martinez.
He is facing a charge of terrorism, officials said.
Questioned by detectives, the boy said his mother had been taking him to the store and buying tactical gear in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings.
Investigators say the boy had gone to school Monday morning with a mask, camouflage jacket, and tactical pants. He left the campus shortly after and was "whereabouts unknown," according to an arrest warrant affidavit supporting Pardo's arrest.
The affidavit details how her son had a "fascination" with past mass shooters.
On Monday, the boy's grandmother called the San Antonio Police Department's behavioral threat team after she found a loaded rifle and pistol magazines in her home that belonged to her grandson, who sometimes lived with her. She also found an improvised explosive device that was made using a mortar-style firework wrapped in duct tape.
Police said the boy had amassed a supply of magazines, a tactical vest capable of concealing ballistic plates, a tactical black helmet and various army clothing.
On Monday, before he went to school, he told his grandmother he was "going to be famous." His mother picked him up and left him at school.
Investigators say Ashley Pardo was aware of threats made by her son, but was "dismissive" with local law enforcement, child protective services and school personnel.
