US Attorney General: New Braunfels man’s planned mass murder attacks foiled

SAN ANTONIO – A. New Braunfels The man’s planned mass murder attacks were thwarted by local and federal law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempting to obtain a firearm to commit a crime.

According to court documents, Peterson began planning a mass shooting in November 2022. In January, he tried to buy a 12-gauge shotgun from a pawn shop in New Braunfels.

He completed the required background check and was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he was trying to purchase. In May, he tried to buy an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun from a pawn shop and was rejected a second time.

After being rejected a second time, FBI agents obtained an arrest warrant and Peterson was immediately taken into custody by New Braunfels police. During a search of his home, FBI agents located and seized a modified .22-caliber long rifle with the stock cut off and six magazines filled with 60 rounds.

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Agents also reviewed Peterson’s Instagram account, uncovering comments he made about plans to attack a gas station. That same day, Peterson was recorded ordering a prison witness to hide or destroy a videotape showing him surveilling a grocery store to plan a future attack.

A few days later, another search of Peterson’s home uncovered a box containing 11 aerosol canisters and other materials used to produce destructive devices.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said one of them was classified as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) because it was determined it “could easily be made operational.” The IED was not registered with the National Firearms Registry, nor could it be because of Peterson’s age.

Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5 and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.