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A 15-year-old boy faces domestic terrorism charges after mixing chemicals in the school cafeteria, nearly killing himself.
The Benson Polytechnic High School student, who has not been publicly identified, was charged with a slew of charges on Friday, including 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder and domestic terrorism.
The charges stem from a September 8 incident in which the student mixed chemicals he brought from home in the cafeteria. He experienced a medical emergency from inhaling the toxic fumes and was transported to the hospital in critical condition, police said.
The Oregon student remains in inpatient care at a mental health facility, where he is receiving ‘appropriate and necessary’ treatment, his lawyer, Noah Horst, told The New York Times.
The boy appeared in court on Friday, where his lawyers denied the allegations against him.
He was charged with 19 crimes, including 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder, and one count each of first- and second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree domestic terrorism, unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, and more.
‘These charges reflect the seriousness of the conduct investigators have uncovered and the potential danger posed to the school community,’ Mike Benner, the public information manager for the Portland Police Bureau said at a press conference.
‘Many students and staff were put at real risk,’ Assistant Chief Franz Schoening added.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez is trying to move the juvenile case to adult court, The Times reported. ‘Students saw frightening things at a place they should feel safe.’
Vasquez also clarified the domestic terrorism charge. State law says releasing toxic substances that have ‘widespread contact’ is considered domestic terrorism.
The incident took place around 8.30am, when a school nurse rushed to administer lifesaving efforts, including CPR, after the boy inhaled the mixture.
More than 100 students and staff were examined afterward, including seven who received medical attention, Schoening said.
It was originally believed the chemicals contained hydrogen sulfide, but the mixture has not been officially determined. The mixture is being tested at an FBI lab, Portland Police Sergeant Jim DeFrain said.
Benner said the teen had been displaying ‘concerning behavior’ before releasing the chemicals.
Students told KATU 2 at the time that they noticed a chemical smell during the commotion.
‘I went to walk through an area by the commons, the cafeteria – which is where the incident happened – and as I’m walking through, I catch a whiff of like this sort of methane-type, sulfuric smell,’ student Logan Arroyo said.
Peter, another student, told the outlet that, as the alarms began to sound, students started asking fellow classmates to use their phones to contact their parents, the outlet reported.
‘I think most of us thought there would just be a quick lockdown and then we’d all go back to our usual business,’ another student said.
‘Then the actual evacuation was ordered about 15 minutes later.’
Students were evacuated to the Buckman Field Park and encouraged to return home to their families for the remainder of the day.
A hazardous materials team responded and ‘neutralize[d] the liquid that was on the cafeteria floor to prevent any further health concerns and off-gassing,’ Portland Fire said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the teen’s lawyer for comment.
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