SAN ANTONIO – Updated as of 12:41 p.m. on Sept. 15
A 13-year-old boy accused of planning a mass attack at Rhodes Middle School earlier this year received two years probation in a treatment facility on Sept. 12.
While he was initially taken into custody on a terrorism charge after threats made toward the San Antonio ISD school in May, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has only formally charged him with possession of a prohibited weapon.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office also dismissed a possession of a prohibited weapon charge against the teen.
The teen previously faced two counts of arson. However, the state has since waived one of the counts while the teen pled guilty to the other charge.
The teen’s 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 Department Chief William McManus.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested on May 12, on a charge of aiding in commission of terrorism, court records show.
During a news conference on 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 San Antonio ISD’s Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School.
She bought the items “with knowledge” that they would be “used to plan and carry out” a crime, the affidavit stated.
On 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.
On Aug. 1, Pardo was arrested on a separate charge of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence, according to a warrant obtained by KSAT.
Her husband, Mario Porras, was arrested by San Antonio police for a similar charge in May 2025, court records show.
Pardo is accused of pointing a gun at an infant in 2023, according to an arrest affidavit. She was released on bond for the charge on Aug. 4.
Here’s what we know about the case.
Timeline
McManus and an arrest warrant affidavit provided the following timeline of events in the case:
- June 2023: San Antonio police responded to fires near an apartment complex on the Northwest Side. According to court records, surveillance footage reportedly captured the teen entering the building shortly before smoke was seen coming from it.
- August 2024: The teenager stood trial for an arson charge for the incident in 2023. Witnesses testified that Pardo’s son lived at the apartment complex at the time and had confessed to the fire. Due to an improper testimony from a state witness, a Bexar County judge declared a mistrial, court records said. A retrial was set for October 2024 but the teenager’s defense filed an appeal for double jeopardy.
- 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 2025: 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 2025: The teen told authorities that Mario Porras, his father, had pointed a gun at him and suggested he continue to harm himself.
- Later in 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 teen’s arrest affidavit states. He was suspended and attempted to die by suicide the same day, according to the chief.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. A witness implicated Pardo as being involved in her son’s activity, McManus said. Pardo and her son were arrested. Pardo was issued a $75,000 bond.
- May 13: Pardo was released from Bexar County jail after posting bail, records show.
- May 14: Pardo’s husband, Mario Porras, was arrested by San Antonio police on a charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence, according to an arrest affidavit.
- 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 and will later decide whether to uphold the court’s decision, which could prevent him from being retried on that charge.
- 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.
- 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.
- June 26: The 13-year-old was formally charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, a second-degree felony, but prosecutors said more charges could be added.
- July 16: The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed that Pardo’s son will return to trial for his arson charge.
- July 24: The teenager’s grandmother said in court that she believes the teen was manipulated and abused while living with his mother. A Bexar County judge denied the grandmother’s request for custody of the teen. His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7.
- Aug. 1: Pardo was arrested on a new charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence. According to a warrant, Pardo sent photos of her pointing a shotgun at an infant to the child’s father in 2023.
- Aug. 4: Pardo was released on bond for the charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence. The conditions of her bond requires her to wear an ankle monitor and not be in possession of alcohol or firearms.
- Aug. 7: A detention hearing was held for Pardo’s son. A Bexar County judge ordered that the teen remains in custody so he can continue to receive mental health services. His next detention hearing is set for Aug. 21 and his next court date is Aug. 28.
- Aug. 21: Pardo’s son appeared in court for a detention hearing. A Bexar County judge determined that the teen will remain in custody.
- Aug. 28: Pardo’s son appeared in court and a Bexar County judge determined that he will remain in custody.
- Sept. 12: Juvenile Court Judge William Shaw determined that the teen will serve two years probation in a treatment facility. In addition to his probation, the judge issued a number of conditions the teen must follow, including three to six months of intensive supervised probation after his release from the facility. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office also dismissed a possession of a prohibited weapon charge against the teen. The teen previously faced two counts of arson. However, the state has since waived one of the counts while the teen pled guilty to the other charge.
‘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 during a May 15 news conference. “Her behavior is not only dangerous, it‘s abhorrent, especially as a parent."
On May 11, 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 May 15, 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,” McManus 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’
During the May 15 news conference, 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,“ Reyes said. ”We have to follow the rules that govern that student being allowed on campus."
The May 15 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 said in a statement. “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,” McManus said.
Letter from Rhodes Middle School principal
Read the letter school officials sent to parents below on May 12:
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 bar on St. Mary’s Strip
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 May 22, where the proceedings focused on his detention status and media access.
During the hearing, 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 on June 5.
According to court records, the teen was also previously charged in an arson case, which ended in a mistrial.
During the June 5 hearing, 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.
On June 26, the 13-year-old was formally charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, a second-degree felony, but prosecutors said more charges could be added.
On July 16, the Fourth Court of Appeals ruled that Pardo’s son would stand trial again for his arson charge.
On July 24, a Bexar County judge ruled that Pardo’s son will remain in custody, despite a plea from the teen’s grandmother to release him into her care.
On Aug. 7, the teen attended a detention hearing where a Bexar County judge ordered that he remains in custody.
The judge said the teen will continue to receive mental health services.
Pardo’s son appeared in court on both Aug. 21 and 28. In both hearings, a Bexar County judge determined that the teen will remain in custody.
On Sept. 12, Juvenile Court Judge William Shaw determined that Pardo’s son received two years of probation in a treatment facility.
Shaw outlined a number of additional conditions the teen must follow as a part of the sentence:
- Upon release, the teen will have three to six months of intensive supervised probation
- A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew
- Attend school with good behavior and no unexcused absences
- Individual family counseling
- Random drug testing
- 100 hours of community service
- Random searches of his person, rooms and electronics
- No posts of illegal activity on social media
- Provide all screen names and passwords for social media
- No contact with Rhodes Middle School
- No possession or access to ammunition, weapons or anything flammable
- No access to lighters or matches
One of the teen’s arson charges has been dropped
On June 22, 2023, police responded to a fire at an apartment complex on the Northwest Side, an SAPD officer testified in court.
The officer observed two dumpster fires and smoke rising from the neighboring apartment complex’s maintenance building.
According to court records, surveillance footage captured the teen entering the building shortly before smoke was seen coming from it.
The manager of the apartment complex testified that Pardo and her son lived at the complex at the time.
Another witness testified that the teen admitted to setting the fires, allegedly saying, “You know the apartments over there? Well, I burned them down.”
Due to improper testimony from a state witness, a Bexar County judge declared a mistrial, court records stated.
A retrial was set for October 2024, but the teenager’s defense filed an appeal on double jeopardy grounds. They argued that Pardo’s son could not be tried more than once for the same charge.
On July 16, the Fourth Court of Appeals said Pardo’s son will return to trial for the arson charge from a June 2023 incident.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office also dismissed a possession of a prohibited weapon charge against the teen.
The teen previously faced two counts of arson. However, the state has since waived one of the counts while the teen pled guilty to the other charge.
Pardo arrested for pointing shotgun at baby in 2023, sending photo to child’s father, who faces a charge as well
Ashley Pardo was arrested again on Aug. 1, 2025, on an endangering a child charge.
Investigators found photos on Pardo’s phone of her pointing a shotgun at the head of an infant.
According to the warrant, Pardo sent the photo to the baby’s father, telling him the child was being a “brat.”
In the photo, police said Pardo appears to have her finger on the trigger guard as the infant reaches towards the barrel of the gun.
Pardo’s husband, Mario Porras, was arrested by San Antonio police in May 2025 on the same charge of endangering a child with criminal negligence, according to an arrest affidavit.
In June 2024, Porras pointed a pistol at his son, the Rhodes Middle School attack suspect, in his bedroom, according to Porras’ arrest affidavit.
Porras placed his pistol on a table near his son on multiple occasions, according to the affidavit. Porras is also accused of throwing the then-12-year-old around, slapping his head and punching him.
Police said that his father was aware of the son self-harming himself. According to the affidavit, at one point, his father suggested to the son that if he was going to cut himself, then “he needed to do it deeper.”
Jail records show Porras bonded out of custody on May 18.
A magistrate judge handed Pardo a $45,000 bond on Aug. 1 for her new charge. She was ordered to have no contact with her children.
Pardo bonded out on the charge on Aug. 4, according to court records.
The conditions of her bond requires her to wear an ankle monitor and to not possess any alcohol or firearms.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or text TALK to 741-741.
You can also reach out to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 210-223-7233 (SAFE) or 800-316-9241. You can also text NAMI to 741-741.
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