Portland student charged with attempted murder, terrorism over school chemical incident
A student has been arrested on attempted murder and domestic terrorism charges after mixing chemicals in a high school cafeteria in Portland, Oregon, according to police. He was hospitalized in critical condition after inhaling gases from the mixture.
The Portland Police Bureau announced the arrest Friday following an investigation into the September 8 incident at Benson Polytechnic High School. The suspect is a 15-year-old boy whose name is being withheld because of his age.
He faces 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder, along with charges of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and first- and second-degree domestic terrorism.
Police also listed charges of unlawfully manufacturing and possessing a destructive device, possessing a weapon in a public building, unlawful use of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person.
The incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. on September 8, when Portland Fire & Rescue personnel and police responded to a report of a student experiencing a medical emergency.
School staff were tending to the boy in the cafeteria after he mixed chemicals brought from home and inhaled the resulting gases. Staff provided life-saving care before he was taken to a hospital. Police later said he was expected to survive.
Other students and staff were evacuated to nearby athletic fields, where fire personnel assessed more than 100 people. No additional patients required ambulance transport, although two staff members went to a hospital in a private vehicle.
Fire crews worked to neutralize the chemicals, while explosive disposal personnel examined the materials and checked that the scene was safe.
Detectives worked with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, conducting interviews, following tips and reviewing surveillance footage and social media accounts. Investigators also executed search warrants and seized electronic devices.
Friday’s announcement did not identify the chemicals or describe the evidence behind the attempted murder and terrorism charges.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
