Braunfels’ new man pleads guilty after court documents allege he planned multiple mass shootings

SAN ANTONIO – A 20-year-old New Braunfels man has been charged with attempted possession and use of a firearm to commit a felony.

The Justice Department alleges Cameron Darrick Peterson has been planning mass shootings since November 2022, citing court documents.

The Justice Department said that in January 2024, Peterson entered a pawnshop in New Braunfels and tried to buy a 12-gauge shotgun.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas said Peterson completed the required background check but was rejected because of his age and the type of gun he wanted to purchase.

Four months later, on May 31, Peterson returned to the same pawnshop and attempted to purchase an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun. The pawn shop rejected Peterson a second time, authorities said.

Five days after Peterson was turned away from the pawnshop for the second time, FBI agents obtained an arrest warrant for Peterson. New Braunfels police took Peterson into custody, the Justice Department said.

As part of a federal search warrant against Peterson and his home, FBI agents found a modified .22-caliber rifle with the stock cut off and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds, according to court records.

On June 6, agents said they later discovered Peterson’s Instagram account, where he posted comments about an attack on a gas station. Also that day, investigators said Peterson was recorded telling a witness from the jail to hide or destroy a potentially incriminating videotape.

According to the Justice Department, Peterson made a videotape of himself investigating a grocery store for a possible future attack.

During a search of his home on June 10, investigators said they classified one of the 11 aerosol containers they found as an improvised explosive device (IED). Documents show that because of Peterson’s age, the IED was not registered with the National Firearms Registry.

Peterson’s sentencing date was set for February 5, 2025. Peterson faces up to 10 years in prison and may have to pay a $250,000 fine.

A federal district court judge will determine Peterson’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors, authorities said.