FBI: Texas Man Planned to Shoot Up Buc-ee's

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX  – A man from New Braunfels named Cameron Darrick Peterson, 20, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to acquire a firearm for the purpose of committing a felony, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. The case noted a plan for mass shootings that began developing in November 2022.

Court documents reveal that Peterson attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop on January 4, 2024. Although he completed the required background check, he was denied due to his age and the type of firearm he attemped to buy. 

Peterson made a second purchasing attempt on May 21 to buy an assault weapon-style 12-gauge shotgun, but was denied again after his name was entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System as a 'prohibited' person.

Court records reveal that FBI agents arrested Peterson on June 5 after obtaining a warrant. A search of his home uncovered an altered .22 caliber long rifle with a sawed-off buttstock, along with six loaded magazines containing a total of 60 rounds. Further investigation revealed alarming intentions, including statements about plans to shoot up a gas station, specifically a Buc-ee’s on I-35.

As he continued to plot his attack on Buc-ee's and two local high schools, reports allege that a video filmed in a New Braunfels park shows him discussing the attack with his girlfriend. The planned assault at Buc-ee's was intended to serve as a distraction, allowing him to move on to Canyon High School and New Braunfels High School afterward.

Reports state Peterson, who was previously a student at Canyon High School, had one fully constructed Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and had materials to create an additional ten IEDs, according to those at Wednesday's plea deal in court. 

Initially, his supposed timeline for executing the mass shootings was set for 2026 or sooner. However, authorities believe that after being denied the purchase of a weapon in January, his plans may have shifted, leading him to consider carrying out the attack earlier.