SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In a recent development, a man from New Braunfels, Texas, has pleaded guilty in a San Antonio federal court for his role in planning a mass murder attack. This plea follows significant actions taken by law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), which successfully thwarted the planned attack before it could be executed.
Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, was involved in planning mass shootings, which he had allegedly been preparing for since late 2022. Authorities have revealed that Peterson was caught trying to purchase a firearm from a local pawn shop on multiple occasions. On January 4, 2024, Peterson attempted to buy a 12-gauge shotgun but was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he sought. His subsequent attempts in May to acquire the same weapon also failed.
Following these events, on June 5, the FBI secured an arrest warrant and took Peterson into custody. During a search of his home, investigators discovered an altered .22 caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds. This discovery, combined with further evidence, led to his arrest.
Authorities also uncovered Peterson’s online activities, which included comments on Instagram about his intentions to attack a gas station. This digital trail contributed to the investigation, highlighting the potential threat he posed to public safety.
Significantly, Peterson was reportedly recorded while in jail, instructing a witness to either destroy or hide a videotape. This footage reportedly detailed surveillance activities of a grocery store, which was targeted for a future attack. The FBI and SAFD’s timely intervention prevented any attack from occurring, potentially saving many lives.
During the investigation, authorities conducted a second search of Peterson’s residence on June 10. This search resulted in the seizure of a box containing 11 aerosol containers, alongside other materials intended for making destructive devices. Among these, one container housed an improvised explosive device (IED), which was operational. Notably, this device was not registered with the National Firearms Registry due to Peterson’s age. The presence of such materials at Peterson’s residence underscores the severity of the threat he posed.