The family of a 17-year-old in Irvine, Orange County, is asserting their son is "not a terrorist" after the FBI deployed a hazmat team and opened an investigation regarding a home chemistry lab kit.
According to the Orange County Register, federal forces arrived at the home in the Altair gated community on Monday after the homeowner reported "suspicious" items. Irvine police previously stated the incident began after a teenager at the residence mixed unidentified chemicals.
Family attorney Charles M. Ray told local media that the teenager is passionate about science, specifically biology and chemistry, and aspires to attend medical school in the future. The family stated the concerning equipment consisted only of standard lab tools like Bunsen burners and common laboratory gear.
In a written statement, the family "categorically denies all allegations and implications that the boy posed a danger in any way." They mentioned the teenager attends UC Irvine and spends time creating science education content on his personal YouTube channel.
Sources said there were whiteboards with chemical formulas in the house, prompting the FBI to dispatch experts from Quantico, Virginia, to assist with the assessment.
As of Sunday, authorities have not announced any arrests or charges, emphasizing that there were no evacuation orders and no recorded threat to public safety. The family said they have not been allowed back into their home since the investigation began.
Irvine police confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
