FBI reportedly foiled plot to shoot up San Antonio-area Buc-ee’s

A New Braunfels man is facing up to 10 years in prison after allegedly planning mass shootings at a San Antonio-area Buc-ee’s and two high schools, KABB-TV reports.

Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, pled guilty on Thursday to one count of attempting to receive a firearm to use to commit a felony, officials with the U.S. Justice Department in San Antonio said.

Peterson faced up to 20 years in prison, but carved that time in half by accepting a plea deal, according to KABB’s reporting on the case.

The felony charge stems from a plot Peterson hatched to shoot up the Buc-ee’s on I-35 in between Austin and San Antonio, the TV station reports. Authorities also uncovered plans he had to carry out an attack at Canyon High School and New Braunfels High School, according to its reporting.

Indeed, unnamed sources told KABB that Peterson planned to carry out the assault on Buc-ee’s as a diversion before proceeding to the high schools.

The Current was unable to independently verify these claims. However, a federal search of Peterson’s Instagram account revealed that he made a statement about attacking a local gas station, according to Justice Department officials.

The FBI first began investigating Peterson after receiving an anonymous tip.

“The tipster reported that Peterson has severe emotional issues, idolizes violence and school shootings and that he may emulate infamous prior mass shooters,” according to the federal affidavit obtained by the Express-News.

Following up on that tip, the FBI also learned that Peterson had tried to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from Comal Pawn but was denied due to the type of gun he wanted and his age, according to KABB.

FBI agents interviewed Peterson on May 21 of this year but didn’t arrest him at that time, according to the Express-News. Instead, they put his name on the National Instant Background Check System.

Peterson then tried to buy the same type of weapon on May 31, but was denied due to him being listed on the NIBC database, the daily also reports.

After that attempted purchase, Peterson was arrested on June 5 on an FBI warrant, Justice Department officials said. While searching the suspect’s house, federal agents found an altered .22-caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds, they also said.

In a separate search of Peterson’s home a week later, authorities also found an improvised explosive device, according to authorities.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the San Antonio Fire Department, the New Braunfels Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are continuing to investigate the case.

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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.