Portland teen charged with terrorism and attempted murder following school chemical incident

A 15-year-old student at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon, faces 19 criminal charges, including attempted murder and domestic terrorism, after a chemical incident on September 8 left him in critical condition. Authorities reported that the student brought chemicals from home and mixed them in the school cafeteria, releasing toxic gases that endangered other students and staff. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez emphasized the importance of safety in schools during an October 2 news conference, stating, "Safety in our schools is not something that can be negotiated." Investigators noted concerning behaviors and statements from the teenager prior to the incident, including an interest in hazardous chemicals and violence. The charges against him include 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, and charges related to the unlawful manufacturing and possession of a destructive device. The teenager's legal representatives have denied the allegations, stating he is currently receiving treatment at an inpatient mental health facility. Vasquez indicated that his office would seek to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult court, citing public safety concerns. The chemical incident occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m., prompting a swift response from teachers and first responders. Initial testing revealed the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas, and further samples were sent to an FBI laboratory for analysis. The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges for others involved.