Portland teen faces attempted murder, domestic terrorism charges

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A 15-year-old Benson Polytechnic High School student accused of mixing toxic chemicals in the school cafeteria last month will return to a locked treatment program after a court hearing Friday, a decision prosecutors immediately asked a judge to reconsider.

The teen appeared in court Friday afternoon facing a first-degree domestic terrorism charge in connection with the Sept. 8 incident. Later Friday, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office also announced 12 counts of attempted murder.

The courtroom was packed with media and supporters for the hearing, which focused on where the teen should stay while the case moves forward, not on the facts of the allegations.

Prosecutor Mr. Zimmerman said the teen mixed chemicals in a public cafeteria area before passing out. Investigators identified the mix as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide, a toxic substance.

Zimmerman said at least seven students and staff needed medical care, and more than 100 people were checked at the school that day. He said investigators believe more people could have been harmed.

“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,” said Benson junior Eva Branstetter.

Zimmerman said surveillance video shows the teen arriving in gloves and dark clothing and pouring chemicals from a white jug. A search of his home turned up many dangerous chemicals and reactive substances, including materials that can be used in thermite-type mixtures, along with social media posts about making acetone peroxide.

Prosecutors also pointed to social media posts referencing a “kill/death ratio,” along with language about self-harm and wanting to cause death to himself and others. Zimmerman said the FBI is reviewing seized papers, hard drives and computers found Friday morning, including what he described as extensive references to “764,” a violent extremist group. He said the review is ongoing.

The state asked that the teen be held at the Donald E. Long county detention center until investigators better understand the full scope, and asked that he be taken into custody right away.

Defense attorney Norah Van Dusen acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and submitted letters from the teen’s personal psychiatrist and a psychiatrist at the Perry Center. Both recommend continued psychiatric care.

Van Dusen said the Perry Center is locked and secure, with no access to the outside world or social media. She quoted from one letter: “Failure to provide this level of mental health support currently is estimated to come at high risk.”

She said the teen remains at high risk of suicide, has a serious depression diagnosis, and is cooperating with treatment but has a long road ahead.

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Van Dusen said the teen has strong family support, with his father present in court and visiting daily at the Perry Center. She said he appeared voluntarily, has made no effort to run, has no prior court history, and has a stable placement at the Perry Center. She asked that he be released to his father to return to the Perry Center to continue treatment his doctors described as medically necessary.

“It’s just kind of a gut punch, it’s just one of those things you don’t as a parent want to have happen. You hate to hear it you know,” said Benson parent Ryan Branstetter.

Benson Vice Principal Joe Metassik said the teen had been a responsible student before, but said the impact on students has been “terror” and it has been hard to get kids to return to school.

The teen’s father said the current placement at the Perry Center is best, noting his son is only one week into a program that normally lasts six to eight weeks.

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Some parents said they just want whatever gets him the help he needs.

“To me, I just feel like he needs the help and a program to me would be better,” said Benson parent Loressa Williams.

“I hope he gets help and I think that’s the most important thing and he doesn’t hurt himself or others in the future,” said Branstetter.

The judge followed the recommendation from the Juvenile Department and ordered the teen released to his father, with the expectation he return immediately to the Perry Center.

Conditions include attending all future hearings, not running away and not leaving the program. The judge set another hearing in about six weeks, after treatment, to decide future custody status.

But for those who knew him, they said this incident has taught them a valuable lesson.

“Try to be there for your classmates, try to help them however I can, try to be conscious of how they might be struggling,” said Yoruba.

A re-hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 1:45 p.m. with a circuit court judge.