Deputies Arrest Gainesville Student With Home-Built Explosives

Alachua County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 15-year-old Gainesville student on Tuesday after finding explosive chemicals in his bedroom. The teen, a student at Buchholz High School, faces a charge of making or attempting to make a destructive device. Authorities said additional charges could be added as the investigation continues.

The arrest followed a joint investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that began on Friday. Investigators learned the student had been having online conversations with members and supporters of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS. During those conversations, the teen reportedly asked for help building drones and explosives to attack people at an unknown location.

Deputies spoke with the student’s parents on Friday and received permission to search the boy’s phone. The phone contained files with instructions for making explosive devices and chemical compounds, along with ISIS propaganda. On Monday, investigators returned to the home with the parents’ consent to conduct a full search after sharing the phone’s contents with them.

Officers found two jars in the student’s bedroom. The 15-year-old told investigators the jars held chemicals used to create triacetone triperoxide, a substance often called TATP. TATP is a dangerous explosive used in various improvised devices.

The Alachua County Bomb Squad unit responded to the home to secure the materials. Detectives then searched the rest of the residence. Family members spoke off camera about the investigation, noting they still had many questions, but they declined to comment further.

The student is currently in custody. The investigation into his online contacts and the specific purpose of the materials found in his home remains ongoing.