Gainesville teen charged with building TATP explosives for ISIS

Alachua County deputies arrested a 15-year-old Buchholz High School student on Wednesday after determining he was preparing to build bombs for the Islamic State.

The joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation began on Friday when officers discovered the teen had been communicating online with ISIS members and supporters. During that initial probe, the student told investigators he sought assistance to construct drones and explosives for an attack at an unidentified site.

Officers spoke with the boy’s parents, who consented to a review of his mobile device. Files on the phone included chemical formulas, step-by-step instructions for creating explosive devices, and propaganda materials from the terrorist group.

Following the digital discovery, police returned to the residence on Monday with parental approval to conduct a physical search. Agents located two jars in the student's bedroom that he identified as containing chemicals for triacetone triperoxide, a high-explosive compound known as TATP.

The Alachua County Bomb Squad unit arrived to secure the materials before detectives completed their sweep of the house. The student now faces a charge of making or attempting to make a destructive device. Prosecutors indicated that further accusations may be filed as the inquiry proceeds.

Family members spoke briefly to reporters off camera, stating they had remaining questions about the case but declined to provide additional details.