Home / Crime and Justice / Teen Chemist's Lab Sparks New Hazmat Scare
Teen Chemist's Lab Sparks New Hazmat Scare
8 Jul
Summary
- Hazmat teams responded to a new investigation involving chemical barrels.
- The teenager's previous at-home lab drew an FBI investigation.
- The student aims to continue experiments before medical school.
Authorities were alerted to suspicious materials at a teenager's at-home laboratory back in February, sparking a multi-agency investigation. Nearly five months later, hazmat crews were again dispatched to the family's new property on Crater street. Neighbors had called 911 due to several barrels stored in the backyard containing chemicals and equipment not confiscated in the initial probe.
In February, investigators discovered indications of potential chemical nerve agents within the teenager's home laboratory. The discovery led to the FBI and other specialized teams, including the National Guard's WMD Civil Support Team, joining the investigation. The student, a UC Irvine pre-medical student, stated his experiments focused on new therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimer's disease and that he used readily available online chemicals safely.
The family's attorney indicated they hope for a return to normalcy. The teenager, who dreams of becoming a doctor, wishes to continue his experiments before graduating and moving on to medical school.
