Bottle Bomb Injures 4, Forces Middle School Evacuation

This morning at approximately 8:30am, Portland Police officers responded to Ron Russell Middle School in SE Portland on the report of a small bottle bomb incident in a bathroom. Portland Fire and medical personnel were also dispatched to the scene as well as a bomb tech from the Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit.

Three middle school children and a janitor were affected by fumes and received treatment from medical personnel at the scene. Their injuries are minor.

Evacuations were made from the school and children were led into the gymnasium.

Investigators determined that the explosion was caused by a caustic bottle bomb which is defined as any sealed device containing dry ice (CO2) or other chemically reactive substances assembled for the purpose of causing an explosion by chemical reaction.

No arrests have been made as of this writing. Portland School Police and Portland Fire Bureau Arson Investigators are continuing to investigate.