A 15-year-old student at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon, is facing one count of first-degree domestic terrorism and 12 counts of attempted murder after allegedly mixing hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide in the school cafeteria on September 8. The chemical reaction sickened at least seven students and staff, and more than a hundred people were evaluated after the evacuation. Students described a normal breakfast period that suddenly turned into an emergency outside on Buckman Field.
The case took another turn Friday when a judge ordered the teen released to his father to continue psychiatric treatment at the Perry Center. Prosecutors with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office immediately asked for that decision to be reconsidered, and a circuit court judge will hold a re-hearing Tuesday afternoon. Investigators say they discovered dangerous chemicals and extremist social media posts linked to the violent group known as “764,” an international network known for targeting vulnerable teenagers online.
For parents here on the Suncoast, the takeaways are practical. Pay attention to sudden changes in a teenager’s behavior, watch for secrecy around online activity, and take threats seriously even when they sound like talk. Schools and families do not have to handle this alone, and early intervention often makes the difference. What would you want your child’s school to do if warning signs appeared here at home?
