Florida teen arrested after police find bomb-making chemicals at home

A 15-year-old student at Buchholz High School in Gainesville faces charges after police said he tried to build explosives for the Islamic State group. The arrest follows a two-day investigation that began when agents discovered the teen was communicating online with ISIS members and supporters.

The timeline started on Friday when Alachua County sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents examined the student’s phone with the permission of his parents. Investigators found files with instructions for creating explosive devices, lists of chemical compounds, and ISIS propaganda materials. The teen reportedly asked contacts for help building drones and explosives to attack people at an unspecified location.

On Monday, authorities returned to the home to search the property after the parents revealed what was on the phone. In the boy’s bedroom, detectives found two jars that he said contained chemicals used to make triacetone triperoxide, or TATP. The Alachua County Bomb Squad responded to the scene to secure the materials before detectives completed a full search of the residence.

The student was charged with making or attempting to make a destructive device. Prosecutors indicated that additional charges could be added as the investigation proceeds. Family members spoke off camera and said they still had many questions about the case, but they declined to provide further comments.

The next step in the legal process is the continued review of evidence by the joint investigation team. The Bomb Squad has taken custody of the chemical materials to analyze their composition and safety status.