SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KBTX) – A 20-year-old Braunfels junior pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to obtain a firearm for use in a plot targeting a popular interstate store and several schools, federal prosecutors decided.

Cameron Peterson, 20, began planning a mass murder in November 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

By May 31, he attempted to purchase an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun from a pawn shop and was rejected 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. FBI agents testified that during a search of his home, they located and seized a modified .22-caliber long rifle with the stock cut off and six magazines loaded with 60 rounds.

On June 6, as part of a federal search warrant, agents examined Peterson’s Instagram account and discovered statements Peterson had made about a plan to attack a gas station.

An investigation by KEYE TV in Austin revealed that the target was a Buc-ee’s gas station in the New Braunfels area, as well as several high schools in the area.

That same day, Peterson was recorded instructing a witness from prison to hide or destroy a videotape of him surveilling a grocery store in order to plan a future attack.

A further search of Peterson’s home on June 10 turned up a box containing 11 aerosol containers and other materials intended to produce destructive devices. One of the containers was determined to be easily deployed and was classified as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The IED was not registered with the National Firearms Registry, nor could it be because of Peterson’s age.

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

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