Feds Interdict Planned Mass Shooter in Texas
Cameron Darrick Peterson pleaded guilty on Oct. 21 to charges related to illegally obtaining a firearm intending to commit a felony. Photo credit: Comal County Jail.
Tried to Buy a Shotgun from a Pawn Shop
On Jan. 4, Peterson went to Comal Pawn, a pawn shop in New Braunfels, Texas, and attempted to buy a 12-gauge shotgun, according to the criminal complaint. Peterson filled out form 4473, which is required if someone goes through a federally licensed firearms dealer for the transfer or sale of a firearm.
Form 4473 collects buyer information, and a background check is performed to ensure the buyer is legally eligible to purchase the weapon. The check found that Peterson was too young to buy the specific gun he wanted, so he was denied the shotgun, according to the criminal complaint.
Sources Reported Peterson was Planning a Mass Shooting
On May 8, someone submitted an online anonymous tip to the FBI National Threat Operations Center about a possible school shooter, according to the criminal complaint. The tipster reported Peterson, saying that Peterson had emotional issues and idolized school shootings and violence. The tipster said that they became aware of Peterson’s behavior through Peterson’s girlfriend, who said Peterson kept journals and discussed plans for mass shootings.
On May 21, an FBI Task Force officer spoke with Peterson and later recommended that Peterson be added to the prohibited persons list of the National Instant Background Check System (NICS), according to the criminal complaint. When Peterson went to Comal Pawn again to buy a 12-gauge shotgun, he was denied a second time because his name was on the NICS list. Petterson lied, however, on form 4473 about his residence and marijuana use, which he admitted to smoking daily to the FBI agent.
FBI Found Weapons, Amo at Peterson’s Home
On June 5, FBI agents arrested Peterson and searched his home, finding a sawed-off buttstock with six loaded 60-round magazines and an altered .22 caliber long rifle, according to the DOJ press release. The next day, the FBI also found statements and posts Peterson wrote on Instagram about plans to attack a gas station. On that same day, Peterson was recorded on a jail telephone instructing someone to destroy or hide videos he created while surveilling a grocery store he was planning to attack.
On June 10, another search led FBI agents to discover 11 aerosol containers and other ingredients to make an improvised explosive device, according to the DOJ press release. The device was not registered in the National Firearms Registry, which Peterson was too young to do.
Reporting Tips Can Save Lives
In this case, someone’s online complaint might have saved lives.
If you have information about a possible mass shooting attack or another federal crime, you can send an anonymous tip to the FBI by filling out the Electronic Tip Form. Time is precious in cases that involve mass attacks, so the sooner the FBI knows about the potential threat, the quicker they can act. You can also report suspicious activity in your specific state.
If you find yourself in an active shooter situation, knowing how to respond is vital. Following the Active Shooter Response guide from the Department of Homeland Security can help save lives.
Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29, 2025, according to his sentencing documents.
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