Alachua County charges 15-year-old student with making explosive device

Two jars of triacetone triperoxide, known as TATP, sat in the bedroom of a 15-year-old student in Gainesville, Florida, according to Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies. The boy, a student at Buchholz High School, was charged with making or attempting to make a destructive device following a joint investigation by the sheriff’s office and the FBI.

Investigators launched the probe after discovering the teen was holding online conversations with members and supporters of the Islamic State group. Deputies said the student asked for assistance in building drones and explosives to attack an unspecified location. On Friday, authorities spoke with the boy’s parents, who permitted a search of his phone.

The digital search uncovered files with instructions for constructing explosive devices and chemical compounds, alongside ISIS propaganda. Acting on that evidence, investigators returned to the home on Monday with the parents’ consent. They located the two jars in the bedroom, which the teen identified as containing TATP, a high-impact explosive.

The Alachua County Bomb Squad unit responded to the residence to secure the materials before detectives completed their search. The student now faces a charge for making or attempting to make a destructive device, with further charges possible as the case proceeds. Family members stated off camera that they still had questions about the investigation and declined to comment further.