An FBI hazardous materials team was dispatched to a home in Orange County after reports emerged of suspicious activities involving a 17-year-old resident. The young man’s family quickly moved to clarify that their son was not involved in any terrorist activities.
The residence, located in a gated community in Irvine, drew federal attention when the landlord reported unusual items at the property on Monday, according to the Orange County Register.
“This is someone destined to contribute significantly to science, possibly even finding a cure for cancer. He is certainly not a terrorist,” stated the family’s attorney, Charles M. Ray, in an interview with the LA Daily News.
Ray further commented, “Fear often stems from a lack of understanding.”
The situation unfolded after a minor at the home reportedly mixed unidentified chemicals, as previously reported by the Irvine Police Department.
Inside the house, law enforcement discovered chemical formulas scrawled on a whiteboard, which led the FBI to call in specialists from Quantico, Virginia, to investigate further, according to the LA Daily News.
But the student’s family has insisted he isn’t a terrorist, as they said the equipment that sparked alarm was standard chemistry equipment, such as Bunsen burners and other standard school lab equipment.
“On behalf of the family and their 17-year-old son, we categorically deny the allegations that have been suggested and reject any implication that he poses a threat in any way, shape, or form,” the family said in a written statement released Friday evening.
The teenager, who studies at UC Irvine, is “deeply committed to science, particularly biology and chemistry,” and spends his time studying and developing education content for his YouTube channel, the family’s statement continued.
His YouTube channel contained three videos as of Saturday afternoon, the most recent posted three months ago, featuring chemistry demonstrations and tutorials.
“He has a future ahead of him. He wants to go to medical school,” family attorney Ray said.
Authorities have given few public details about what they found at the house in the ritzy Altair community, which has an average property price of over $5 million.
The family has been barred from their house since Monday.
As of Sunday, authorities have announced no arrests or filed charges, and have repeatedly said there is no need for evacuations and no known threat to public safety.
The investigation was expected to continue Sunday, an Irvine Police spokesman said.
