Texas man pleads guilty to mass shooting at Buc-ee’s and several high schools

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KBTX) – A 20-year-old New Braunfels man pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of attempting to obtain a firearm for use in a plot against a popular interstate convenience store and several schools, according to federal prosecutors.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, 20-year-old Cameron Peterson began planning mass shootings in November 2022.

On January 4, 2024, Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop. He passed the required background check but was denied because of his age and the type of firearm he was trying to purchase.

On May 31, he tried to buy a 12-gauge automatic rifle from a pawn shop, but was refused 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 revealed they found and seized a converted .22 caliber rifle with a sawed-off stock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds.

On June 6, as part of a federal search warrant, agents checked Peterson’s Instagram account, revealing Peterson’s statements about plans to attack a gas station.

An investigation by KEYE TV in Austin found that a Buc-ee’s gas station in the New Braunfels area was targeted, along with several high schools in the area.

That same day, Peterson was recorded from jail telling a witness to hide or destroy a video he made of himself watching a grocery store to plan an upcoming attack.

On June 10, another search of Peterson’s home turned up a box containing 11 aerosol cans and other ingredients for making destructive devices. One of the containers was determined to be easily detonated and classified as an improvised explosive device (IED). The IED was not registered in the National Firearms Registry, and it could not be related to Peterson’s age.

Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced on February 5, 2025, and faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.