US student arrested on attempted murder, terrorism charges after chemical incident

A student in the city of Portland, Oregon, USA has been arrested on attempted murder and domestic terrorism charges after mixing chemicals in a high school cafeteria on 8 September, according to police per BNO News.

The incident is understood to have happened at around 08:30, after a 15-year-old boy mixed chemicals brought from home and inhaled the resulting gases, believed to be hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen cyanide. Staff provided life-saving care before he was taken to a hospital, and police later said he was expected to survive.

The Portland Police Bureau announced the arrest on Friday 2 October following an investigation. 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.

Other students and staff were evacuated to nearby athletic fields, where fire personnel assessed more than 100 people. Fire crews neutralised the chemicals, while explosive disposal personnel examined the materials and checked that the scene was safe.