Gainesville teen charged after bomb hunt

Alachua County deputies arrested a 15-year-old Gainesville student on Wednesday after finding chemicals in his bedroom that he identified as ingredients for a powerful explosive. The teen, a student at Buchholz High School, faces a charge of making or attempting to make a destructive device.

The case began on Friday when the sheriff’s office and the FBI launched a joint investigation. Officers learned the student had been having online conversations with members and supporters of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS. During those chats, the teen requested assistance in building drones and explosives to attack an unknown location.

Investigators spoke with the student’s parents on Friday. The parents allowed officers to search the boy’s phone. Inside, they found files with instructions for creating explosive devices and chemical compounds, along with ISIS propaganda. The family consented to a home search on Monday after learning about the digital evidence.

In the student’s bedroom, detectives located two jars. The teen told investigators the jars contained chemicals used to make TATP, or triacetone triperoxide. The Alachua County Bomb Squad responded to the home to secure the materials before detectives completed their search of the property.

Family members spoke off camera Wednesday, saying they still had many questions about the investigation. They declined to comment further. Authorities said additional charges could be added as the probe continues.