MOORESTOWN, NJ – A typically quiet neighborhood in South Jersey was thrust into chaos over the weekend after a series of explosions led authorities to search for an 18-year-old high school student now wanted by police. The teenager, reportedly a senior at Moorestown High School, is suspected of creating and detonating explosive materials, initially said to be part of a science project gone awry.
The investigation began when a group of high school students informed police they had been conducting a science experiment, which resulted in an explosion in a backyard. This revelation prompted a more extensive search, leading police to discover a makeshift chemical lab in the basement of a home on East Oak Avenue.
Authorities, including the state police bomb unit and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, were called in to assess and safely dispose of the volatile materials found at the scene. The explosive materials were deemed too dangerous to move and were detonated in the backyard under controlled conditions.
The suspect, who turned 18 this weekend, is believed to have fled the country. Despite the alarming situation, investigators currently have no indication that the teenager intended to harm anyone, but they are leaving no stone unturned. Bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed to two district buildings as a precautionary measure.
Residents of the community expressed shock and disbelief at the unfolding events. “They’re young kids. They can be stupid,” said one local parent, acknowledging the dangerous nature of explosives while grappling with the reality of the situation.
Police have confirmed that the teenager faces charges of causing or risking widespread injury or damage and possession of destructive devices. The young man was poised to graduate with his class in June and had plans to attend Rutgers University in the fall. His future now hangs in the balance as authorities continue their search.
The suspect’s interest in technology and science was well known among peers, with a senior yearbook photo captioned as “most likely to hack the CIA.” His LinkedIn profile lists attendance at prestigious research universities during the past summers, highlighting a promising academic trajectory now overshadowed by legal troubles.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies await further analysis of the materials from the makeshift lab to determine the full scope of the student’s activities.