Cameron Darrick Peterson, a 20-year-old from New Braunfels, pleaded guilty to attempting to receive a firearm for a felony. He had been planning mass shootings since November 2022 but was denied purchases at a pawn shop. His first attempt to buy a 12-gauge shotgun on January 4 was unsuccessful due to his age, and a second attempt on May 31 for a similar shotgun was also denied, leading to law enforcement involvement, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Peterson was arrested by the New Braunfels Police Department on June 5, shortly after the FBI issued an arrest warrant. Searches of his home found an altered .22 caliber rifle, ammunition, and plans for a gas station attack on his Instagram account. While in custody, he instructed someone to dispose of a videotape showing his surveillance of a grocery store. Additionally, investigators found an improvised explosive device and materials for making more explosives, including an aerosol container identified as a functional explosive, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza announced Cameron Darrick Peterson's guilty plea, which could lead to up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is set for February 5, 2025, and will be decided by a federal judge. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and local law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Eric Yuen are handling the prosecution, emphasizing the need for community vigilance to prevent potential tragedies, as stated by the United States Attorney’s Office.