Portland Student Expected to Survive After Inhaling Chemical Gases at Benson High School

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 15-year-old Portland student at Benson Polytechnic High School inhaled gases produced by a mixture of chemicals, but did not drink the mixture, as originally reported by investigators.

He was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition, but authorities now confirm that the boy is expected to survive.

At a media briefing yesterday, Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day, Portland Fire & Rescue Chief Lauren Johnson, and Portland Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong confirmed that at the time of the incident on Tuesday, investigators believed the student had drunk a chemical concoction.

However, investigators later determined he had inhaled gases emitted by the chemicals.

The student brought a number of canisters containing chemicals to school and had acted alone.

Explosive Experts and Homicide Detectives Were Also Involved in the Investigations

Respondents to the school cafeteria included the Metropolitan Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU) and the PPB’s Homicide Unit. The boy, who appeared to be in extreme distress, was given emergency medical attention and transferred to a hospital.

The MEDU examined the canisters containing the chemicals to ensure that the premises were safe, while the Homicide Unit established the possibility of a criminal connection.

Staff and students were evacuated from the school buildings to surrounding athletic fields and were joined by their families.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives are pursuing all leads.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact [email protected] and reference case number 26-262949.