Cameron Darrick Peterson, a 20-year-old resident of New Braunfels, Texas, has formally pleaded guilty to charges related to an attempted mass shooting plot.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Peterson’s arrest follows months of intensive investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and other agencies, during which authorities discovered plans, social media communications, and a series of disturbing actions aimed at obtaining weaponry and reconnaissance for future violent attacks.
The inquiry began in November 2022, when Peterson first came to the attention of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) due to suspicious online activity.
The JTTF, which monitors threats to terrorism and violence at the federal and local levels, flagged Peterson after discovering questionable social media behavior.
According to FBI investigations, Peterson’s social media profiles had discussions about violent assaults, and agents quickly discovered alarming discussions about firearms, mass shootings, and targeted places.
In January 2024, Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a licensed firearms dealer. Due to federal laws restricting firearm purchases based on age and the type of firearm, Peterson’s application was rejected.
However, investigators noted that he appeared undeterred by this failure. By May 2024, Peterson attempted a second purchase, this time for an assault-style shotgun.
His application was again denied, a turn of events that reportedly frustrated Peterson, leading him to express his anger through further disturbing social media posts.
The New Braunfels community was mostly ignorant of Peterson’s alleged activities until his arrest in June 2024. During this time, federal officials apprehended him after he allegedly made additional attempts to procure a gun through other ways.
His arrest came after months of investigation and close monitoring by federal and local authorities, including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the San Antonio Fire Department, and the New Braunfels Police Department. These agencies worked together to track Peterson’s conduct, acquire evidence, and protect the public.
Following his arrest, investigators got an order to search Peterson’s home, where they discovered a plethora of evidence supporting the intent to commit mass violence.
Agents discovered journals, maps, and rudimentary plans inside Peterson’s home, all of which mentioned gas stations and grocery stores in the area. Surveillance footage collected from several locations also showed Peterson performing what officials believe to be reconnaissance missions at many local sites. This work entailed noting entrances, exits, and other tactical information that would have been useful in carrying out his violent intentions.