Portland Teen Faces Terrorism and Attempted Murder Charges After School Chemical Scare

A 15-year-old Portland high school student is facing an extraordinary list of attempted murder and domestic terrorism charges after authorities say he brought chemicals from home and mixed them inside a crowded school cafeteria, triggering a toxic gas emergency.

The Sept. 8 incident at Benson Polytechnic High School initially appeared to be a frightening medical crisis involving the teenager himself.

Nearly a month later, investigators say the evidence paints a much more disturbing picture.

The unidentified student now faces 19 criminal counts, including 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree domestic terrorism and several weapons-related offenses.

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has also announced that prosecutors intend to seek to have the 15-year-old tried as an adult.

“Safety in our schools is not something that can be negotiated,” Vasquez said during an Oct. 2 news conference.

The emergency began shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 8, when Portland Fire & Rescue was called to Benson Polytechnic High School for what was initially reported as a student medical emergency.

Responders rushed to the cafeteria, where school employees were already trying to save the teenager.

Investigators now allege the student had brought multiple chemicals from home, combined them inside the cafeteria and inhaled gases created by the mixture.

School employees provided lifesaving care before emergency crews arrived. The teenager was transported to a hospital in critical condition and later survived.

But the emergency quickly expanded far beyond the student.

Other students and employees were moved out of the building and onto nearby athletic fields while firefighters and hazardous-material crews worked to secure the cafeteria.

More than 100 students, faculty members and staff were evaluated following the evacuation.

Authorities initially reported that two staff members sought additional medical evaluation by private vehicle. Officials later said several people required medical attention following the exposure, although the teenager was the person most seriously injured.

Investigators said preliminary testing detected hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas recognizable at lower concentrations by its characteristic rotten-egg odor.

Chemical samples were later sent to an FBI laboratory for additional analysis.

What began as an investigation into how the teenager obtained the chemicals soon expanded considerably.

Portland police said detectives conducted interviews, followed up on tips, examined surveillance video and social media accounts, executed search warrants and seized electronic devices.

Authorities said investigators also discovered what they described as concerning statements and behavior predating the incident, including an apparent interest in hazardous chemicals, explosives and violence.

Police have not publicly detailed all of that evidence, and the allegations against the teenager have not been proven in court.

Authorities previously said investigators believed he acted alone and that there was no continuing threat to students or the surrounding community.

The criminal case nevertheless became far more serious on Oct. 2.

Police announced that the teenager was facing 10 counts of attempted aggravated murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder.

He was also charged with first-degree domestic terrorism, second-degree domestic terrorism, unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device, unlawful possession of a destructive device, possession of a weapon in a public building, unlawful use of a weapon and reckless endangerment.

His attorneys have denied the allegations.

The teenager has also been receiving intensive psychiatric treatment at an inpatient facility, according to his defense team.

During a juvenile court hearing Friday, his attorneys argued that keeping him in the treatment program was medically necessary. His father also asked that he be permitted to continue receiving care there.

A judge ultimately released the teenager to his father’s custody with instructions that he immediately return to the secure inpatient treatment facility.

Conditions reportedly include remaining in the program, appearing for future court proceedings and not running away.

Prosecutors quickly objected to that decision and requested another hearing. A circuit court judge is expected to reconsider the matter Tuesday.

The dispute over his custody is separate from an even larger legal battle that could determine how the teenager is prosecuted.

Vasquez said his office plans to seek a waiver transferring the case from Oregon’s juvenile justice system into adult court.

That transfer is not automatic.

Under Oregon law, when prosecutors seek to waive certain cases involving 15-, 16- or 17-year-olds into adult court, a juvenile judge must conduct a hearing. Among other considerations, the court must determine whether the teenager possessed sufficient maturity to understand the nature and consequences of the alleged conduct and whether keeping the case in juvenile court would serve the interests of the youth and society.

Vasquez argued that the seriousness of the allegations makes the limitations of the juvenile system particularly important in this case.

He said Oregon’s juvenile system can eventually lose authority over offenders because of their age, raising concerns about what could happen if someone were still considered dangerous after that jurisdiction ended.

“I’m looking at conduct and how dangerous that is and what I consider to be safe for the community going forward,” Vasquez said.

The prosecutor also emphasized the impact a frightening incident inside a school can have well beyond the classroom.

“They’re teenagers, but these are children, and they deserve a safe environment,” he said.

Portland police credited school staff with preventing the Sept. 8 incident from becoming even worse.

Assistant Chief Franz Schoening said the rapid actions of teachers, administrators and medical personnel during the first minutes of the emergency were crucial.

Those actions, he said, helped prevent additional injuries and potentially saved lives.

The investigation remains open.

Police said anyone with information who has not already spoken with investigators is encouraged to contact authorities and reference Portland Police case No. 26-262949.

Prosecutors have also warned that additional people could face charges if investigators uncover evidence showing anyone else knowingly participated in criminal activity.

For now, the 15-year-old remains accused, not convicted, and the case could take a significant turn depending on whether a judge ultimately allows prosecutors to try him as an adult.