SAN ANTONIO, TX – A Texas man’s plan to carry out mass shootings at local public locations was foiled earlier this year, and he has now pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas announced on Thursday.
Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, first appeared on law enforcement’s radar in January 2024, after attempting to buy a 12-gauge shotgun at a pawn shop in New Braunfels. According to court records, Peterson’s efforts to purchase the gun were twice thwarted—once in January and again in May—when background checks prevented him from acquiring the weapon due to his age and the firearm’s type. Authorities believe these setbacks may have fueled his intentions.
Following his second attempt, the FBI launched a formal investigation, obtaining a warrant for his arrest on June 5. New Braunfels Police Department officers apprehended Peterson, while FBI agents searched his home, where they found a modified .22-caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock, six loaded magazines, and 60 rounds of ammunition, pointing to an escalated threat of mass violence.
On June 6, FBI agents searched Peterson’s Instagram account, uncovering disturbing details of his plans to attack a gas station and other public places. Later that day, while in jail, Peterson reportedly instructed a witness to hide or destroy a video showing him surveilling a grocery store, solidifying his intent to carry out additional attacks.
A second search of his home on June 10 revealed an improvised explosive device (IED), which agents classified as “readily operational,” along with aerosol cans and other materials intended for making further explosives. As Peterson was underage and could not register the IED in the National Firearms Registry, it was deemed illegal.
Peterson pleaded guilty to attempting to receive a firearm with intent to commit a felony, a charge carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. His sentencing is set for February 5, 2025.
This case underscores the tireless efforts of federal agents and local police to intercept and prevent violent plots, showcasing the vigilance required to neutralize potential threats before they endanger the public