The 17-year-old cousin of the gunman responsible for the 2022 Uvalde, Texas, school shooting was taken into custody on Monday for allegedly making threats to commit a similar act at a school, according to multiple reports.
Nathan James Cruz, 17, was apprehended on a felony charge of making a terroristic threat towards a public establishment and a misdemeanor charge of making a terroristic threat against a family member.
Salvador Ramos, Cruz’s 18-year-old cousin, infamously conducted the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in May 2022, claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers.
Cruz’s mother alerted the police on Monday after her daughter disclosed that Cruz had expressed intentions to “do the same thing.” The affidavit detailed that Cruz’s mother had raised concerns due to his probation status, his intoxicated state at the time, and their home’s proximity to an elementary school.
Cruz’s sister recounted to investigators that, during a car ride, he threatened to “shoot her in the head” and voiced a desire to “shoot the school,” as stated in the affidavit.
Cruz’s mother reportedly overheard a phone conversation in which Cruz was allegedly attempting to acquire an AR-15-style assault rifle unlawfully.
Upon being interviewed by a detective following his arrest, Cruz reportedly “denied making any threats,” as outlined in the document.
His charges carry a combined bond of $160,000, as noted in the magistrate records.
