Terror Watch · Charges filed · Updated October 2, 2026, 9:29 PM CDT
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A 15-year-old at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland now faces 19 felony charges, including domestic terrorism, nearly a month after a chemical incident in the school cafeteria.[1]
He was in a courtroom Friday for the first time. The hearing was about where he should stay while the case moves forward, not about whether the allegations are true.[2]
His attorneys deny every allegation. News outlets are not naming him because he is a minor who has not been convicted.[1]
1. September 8: the cafeteria
Portland Fire & Rescue and police were called to the school just after 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, OPB reported.[4]
At a press conference that afternoon, officials said a 15-year-old student had mixed several toxic chemicals he brought from home in the cafeteria. He was in critical condition, a police spokesperson said, and he praised staff, including the school nurse, for performing CPR and other lifesaving measures.[4]
The school was evacuated to the athletic fields. Fire officials said up to 200 students and staff were medically evaluated, and at the time they said no one else had been injured or sickened. Classes were canceled through Wednesday.[4]
Prosecutors told the court a different number on Friday. Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman said at least seven students and staff needed medical care and more than 100 people were checked. He said investigators believe more people could have been harmed.[2]
Watch the Portland Police Bureau’s own update on the incident, from the week it happened:
Portland Police Bureau, an official account, on YouTube (September 9, 2026): “Updates on Sept 8th Benson Polytechnic High School Incident.”
2. The 19 charges
A Multnomah County Circuit Court spokesperson told OPB the charges are:[1]
- One count of domestic terrorism in the first degree and one in the second degree
- Ten counts of attempted aggravated murder, one of attempted murder in the first degree and one of attempted murder in the second degree
- Unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and unlawful possession of a destructive device
- Possession of a weapon in a public building, unlawful use of a weapon, and reckless endangering of another person
Portland police announced the charges after an investigation that, according to KXL, included search warrants, seized electronic devices, surveillance footage, social media analysis and witness interviews. The police bureau says it is still investigating.[5]
KPTV reports that prosecutors said more charges could follow.[2]
3. What prosecutors told the court
Prosecutors described surveillance video showing the student arriving at school in gloves and dark clothing. OPB reports Zimmerman said he wore goggles too.[2][1]
Zimmerman said a search of the student’s home turned up dangerous chemicals, and that his social media posts showed a fascination with explosives, according to KATU’s account of the hearing.[2][3]
He also said the student had written extensively online about feelings of suicide and a wish to hurt fellow students.[1]
And he told the court the FBI had found extensive references on the student’s devices to “764.” OPB describes it as an extremist group that officials say works to exploit minors online into committing violent crimes. KPTV reports the FBI’s review of the seized material is ongoing.[1][2]
These are the prosecution’s statements at a hearing, not findings by a judge or jury.
4. What the defense says
Defense attorney Norah Van Dusen acknowledged the allegations are serious, KPTV reported. She gave the court letters from two psychiatrists who recommend continued psychiatric care.[2]
She said the teen has a serious depression diagnosis, remains at high risk of suicide, and is cooperating with treatment. She quoted one letter: “Failure to provide this level of mental health support currently is estimated to come at high risk.”[2]
In a written statement, his attorneys said: “The family is grateful that no one else was injured and for the swift intervention of school staff and first responders.” They asked for privacy “so they may focus on their child’s recovery.”[1]
5. The court fight over where he stays
The prosecution asked that the teen be held at the Donald E. Long county detention center. The judge followed the Juvenile Department’s recommendation instead and released him to his father, with the expectation that he return at once to the Parry Center for Children, where he has been receiving mental health treatment. His attorney described the program as locked and secure.[1][2]
His father told the court the current placement is best, since his son is one week into a program that usually lasts six to eight weeks.[2]
Conditions include attending every hearing and not leaving the program. KATU reports there is no contact allowed with victims.[2][3]
Prosecutors immediately asked a judge to reconsider. That rehearing is set for Tuesday, October 6, at 1:45 p.m., KPTV reported. A further review of his custody status is planned in about six weeks.[2]
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said at a press conference that his office will seek to try the teen as an adult.[1] He framed it this way: “I’m a firm believer in compassion and accountability and being empathetic, but those two things are not mutually exclusive.”[1]
Watch the district attorney’s news conference from KGW, and KPTV’s report from the courtroom:
KGW News, a news organization, on YouTube (October 2, 2026): “Benson High student faces domestic terrorism charge in chemical case | FULL NEWS CONFERENCE.”
KPTV FOX 12 Oregon, a news organization, on YouTube (October 2, 2026): “Teen charged with domestic terrorism in connection with chemical spill at Benson Polytechnic.”
6. A school still shaken
Benson’s vice principal spoke to the court about the toll on the school: “It’s been hard to get kids to return to school.”[1]
Vasquez said that if teachers and staff had not acted quickly to remove students from the situation, the outcome could have been much worse.[1]
What is still open
The charges are allegations. The court has not ruled on any of them, and the prosecutor said more could follow.[2]
Open questions include what the FBI’s review of the seized devices finds, whether the case moves to adult court, and what the October 6 rehearing decides about where the teen stays.[1][2]
Police ask anyone with information who has not yet spoken to investigators to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 26-262949.[5][4]
Where it happened
The pin marks the school named in the reports. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors.
How to Verify This Yourself
Read the reports: OPB, KPTV, KATU and KXL. OPB’s September 8 report is here.
References
- OPB. Benson high school student faces domestic terrorism charges in chemical spill incident (October 2, 2026). ↩
- KPTV. Portland teen faces attempted murder, domestic terrorism charges (October 2, 2026). ↩
- KATU. Student faces 19 charges connected to chemical incident at Benson HS in Portland (October 2, 2026). ↩
- OPB. Student in critical condition after Portland’s Benson High evacuated due to chemical spill (September 8, 2026). ↩
- KXL. Teen Charged With Domestic Terrorism, Attempted Murder Following Incident at Benson High School (October 2, 2026). ↩
Investigative methodology: this report was written by hand from the official statements and news reports listed above. Quoted passages are verbatim from those sources, each claim is attributed to the source it comes from, and suspect details are included only where officials state them.
Kemetic Minds Editorial Desk
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