Who is Nathan Cruz? Uvalde school shooter Salvador Ramos' cousin, 17, arrested for threatening 'to do the same thing' at Texas school

Nathan Cruz's mother alerted authorities, expressing concerns that he intended to do what Salvador Ramos did
PUBLISHED AUG 8, 2023
Law Cops arrested Uvalde school shooter Salvador Ramos' cousing for making threats to carry out a similar shooting in a school (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images; Inside Edition/Youtube)
Law Cops arrested Uvalde school shooter Salvador Ramos' cousing for making threats to carry out a similar shooting in a school (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images; Inside Edition/Youtube)

UVALDE, TEXAS: Uvalde school shooter Salvadaor Ramos' cousin, 17-year-old Nathan Cruz, has been arrested after allegedly threatening to "do the same thing" and shoot his sister in the head. Cruz's mother alerted authorities after she expressed concerns that her son intended to repeat what his cousin did.

In 2022, Ramos went on a rampage, fatally shooting 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Sickeningly, Ramos then used the blood of his victims to inscribe disturbing messages on whiteboards in the classrooms. 

UVALDE, TEXAS - MAY 26: A memorial is seen surrounding the Robb Elementary School sign following the
 A memorial is seen surrounding the Robb Elementary School sign following the shooting (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Who is Nathan Cruz?

According to the arrest warrant, obtained by KSAT, Cruz made the threats to his sister and overheard him over the phone attempting to "acquire an AR-15 through an illegal private sale."

"The suspect’s mother was especially concerned because the suspect is currently on probation, was intoxicated at the time, and for the fact that they live near an elementary school," the warrant reportedly stated. Cruz's mother also stated that he said, "School is starting soon." 

A sign is left on top of flowers at a memorial for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on June 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. The Uvalde community is marking one month since the deadly shooting where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed.
A sign is left on top of flowers at a memorial for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on June 25, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. The Uvalde community is marking one month since the deadly shooting where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed (Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images)

What charges does Nathan Cruz face? 

Cruz reportedly denied making any threats when speaking with detectives. According to jail records faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat to the public and a misdemeanor charge of making a terroristic threat to a family member. He is presently on probation, although the specifics of his probationary terms remain unclear. He was booked into into Bexar County Jail on Monday, August 7. Given their link to Ramos, Cruz's sister believed "due to the recent history of their family and the suspect’s knowledge of his cousin’s action."

The Uvalde shooting was among a string of school shootings that left countless dead and continues to spark debates about gun laws and safety.

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