Portland teen faces domestic terrorism charges, and a push to try him as an adult, after allegedly mixing chemicals in his school cafeteria

A 15-year-old student at Benson Polytechnic High School is facing 19 criminal charges, including domestic terrorism and multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder, after allegedly mixing hazardous chemicals in his school cafeteria. The incident, which occurred on September 8, triggered a massive emergency response and forced the evacuation of the Portland, Oregon, campus.

According to PEOPLE, the charges were announced on Friday, October 2, by the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. The teenager, whose identity remains protected due to his age, allegedly brought chemicals from home and combined them in the cafeteria. He was hospitalized in critical condition after being exposed to the resulting fumes.

The New York Times reported that over 100 students and staff members were assessed by medical personnel that day, with at least seven people requiring further medical care. The exact substances involved remain under analysis at an FBI lab.

Prosecutors are pushing to move the case to adult court

Per the NYT, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez filed the 19 charges in juvenile court, but has explicitly stated his intention to move the case to adult court. During a press conference, Vasquez emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting, “The threat of violence in school — it doesn’t just stay in the building. It follows families home. It sits at the dinner table with them.” He further added, “Thankfully, this is not something we deal with every day.”

Prosecutors have also pointed to what they found while investigating the student’s background. According to OPB, Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman told the court that surveillance footage captured the teen arriving at school wearing gloves and goggles. He alleged the teen then mixed chemicals that caused students and teachers to suffer headaches and trouble breathing, and that the teen passed out when smoke rose from the mixture.

The outlet noted that authorities also allege that the student had been active on social media, writing about feelings of suicide and a desire to harm classmates. Additionally, Zimmerman alleged that FBI officials discovered numerous references on the student’s devices to 764, an extremist group that reportedly works to exploit minors online into committing violent crimes. Authorities have repeatedly warned parents about adults using games and chat apps popular with kids to reach minors, including in a California case involving Roblox.

The incident has also shaken the wider school community. According to WWNY, Benson High Vice Principal Joe Mitacek testified in court, stating, “The impact of our student body has been one of terror. It’s been hard to get kids to return to school.” One junior told WWNY, “It was really confusing. For one second, I’m in class, and I’m eating the school breakfast then next, I’m out on Buckman getting evacuated.” Other school communities have faced a similarly difficult aftermath, including last year when a stabbing at a Virginia high school left students and parents on edge.

The NYT reported that the teen’s legal team has denied the charges. In a statement, his attorneys noted that he is currently receiving “appropriate and necessary” mental health treatment at an inpatient facility.

Per WWNY, during a hearing at the Multnomah County Juvenile Justice Center, defense attorney Norah Van Dusen argued that the teen is at high risk of suicide and is being treated for serious depression. She also submitted letters from the teen’s psychiatrist and a psychiatrist at his treatment facility, both of which recommend continued psychiatric care. She emphasized that the teen has no prior court history and is cooperating with his medical team.

“Unlike the adult criminal system, juvenile court is structured to prioritize the individual needs of young people and to promote rehabilitation and healing,” the boy’s attorneys wrote in their statement, per OPB. “The family is grateful that no one else was injured and for the swift intervention of school staff and first responders. They ask for privacy at this time so they may focus on their child’s recovery.”

The outlet noted that a juvenile hearings referee initially ordered the teen to be released to his father to continue his treatment. However, prosecutors immediately requested a reconsideration of that decision. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the teen’s custody status as the legal proceedings continue. 

District Attorney Vasquez noted in a press conference that the goal is to balance empathy with the necessity of keeping schools safe. According to OPB, he said, “I’m a firm believer in compassion and accountability and being empathetic, but those two things are not mutually exclusive.”