Man from Texas Pleads Guilty to Planned Mass Attacks on Buc-ee’s and High Schools

A New Braunfels man plead guilty in a federal court in San Antonio for a plot targeting a popular interstate store and several schools, federal prosecutors said.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 20-year-old Cameron Darrick Peterson began planning mass shootings since November 2022.

On Jan. 4, 2024, Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop. He completed the required background check and was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he was attempting to purchase.

On May 31, he attempted to purchase an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun from the pawn shop and was denied a second time.

FBI agents obtained an arrest warrant on June 5, and Peterson was immediately taken into custody by the New Braunfels Police Department.

During a search of his home, FBI agents found and seized an altered .22 caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds.

On June 6, as part of a federal search warrant, agents reviewed Peterson’s Instagram account, revealing statements Peterson had made about plans to attack a gas station believed to be a New Braunfels area Buc-ee’s gas station and several high schools in the area.

Also on June 6, Peterson was recorded from jail instructing a witness to hide or destroy a videotape he had made in which he surveilled a grocery store to plan a future attack.

On June 10, another search of Peterson’s home revealed a box that contained 11 aerosol containers and other ingredients to manufacture destructive devices. One of the containers was determined that it could be readily made operational and was categorized as an Improvised Explosive Device.

The IED was not registered in the National Firearms Registry, nor could it be due to Peterson’s age.

Peterson pleaded guilty in a federal court in San Antonio on Oct. 31st to one count of attempt to receive firearm to use to commit a felony. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5, 2025 and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.