SAN DIEGO — A Carlsbad man who authorities say communicated with a Wisconsin school shooter about plotting his own attack appeared in a San Diego courtroom on Friday for a hearing related to an emergency protective order requiring him to surrender his firearms.
Alexander Charles Paffendorf, 20, who attended the Jan. 3 hearing virtually without an attorney, allegedly had messaged 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who fatally shot a teacher and a student and injured six others on Dec. 16 at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
According to a gun violence restraining order filed on Dec. 17 by the Carlsbad Police Department, Paffendorf allegedly admitted during an FBI interview that he had discussed plans to arm himself with explosives and a gun to target a government building.
Law enforcement officials, including FBI agents, later seized firearms and ammunition from Paffendorf’s residence on Dec. 17 after a judge approved the emergency order.
While no criminal charges have been filed against Paffendorf, Superior Court Judge Devon Lomayesva maintained the order temporarily confiscating his guns, noting that a criminal investigation is underway involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
A detective told the judge that the FBI expects the investigation to wrap up within two to three months.
“You have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself,” Lomayesva told Paffendorf during Friday’s hearing, acknowledging his lack of legal counsel.
Although Paffendorf, wearing a dress shirt and tie, expressed a willingness to proceed without an attorney, the court opted to continue the hearing to April 4, citing the gravity of the allegations.
“Based on my review of this matter, and based on the serious nature, I think [the court] on its own motion finds that it’s in your best interest to go ahead and continue this matter,” Lomayesva said.
The court confirmed that the emergency protective order will remain in effect until the next hearing. Notices for future proceedings will be sent to Paffendorf by mail with his consent.
Addressing the court, Paffendorf apologized for his actions.
“In terms of the whole thing, I would like to apologize to the court. And then in terms of the future, in terms of the gun violence protective order, whatever you feel is necessary, anything the Carlsbad Police Department feels is necessary, [I am] willing to accept,” Paffendorf said.
Denise Ramirez, a spokesperson with the Carlsbad Police Department, told The Coast News that law enforcement has no additional information.
“We do not have any other details or information to share,” Ramirez said. “The San Diego Superior Court and the city attorney handle the documents and court hearings.”
The Coast News reporter Leo Place contributed to this report.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article had the incorrect name for the presiding judge. The judge’s name is Devon Lomayesva.
