Did A Moorestown School Project Gone Wrong Lead To Feds Seeking A Teen Suspect?

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A series of explosions created unease around Moorestown and cascaded into federal authorities searching for a local teen. And it may have all been because of a school project gone wrong.

The teenager created the homemade explosive materials and brought them to a friend's home Saturday on Cove Road to help them with a school science project, police said. The materials were exploded in the backyard.

Later, authorities found the leftover materials at Cove Road and detonated them at a nearby Public Works yard, creating another explosion in the neighborhood.

Law enforcement later searched the teen suspect's home on the 400 block of East Oak Avenue and found explosive materials. Nearby neighbors were evacuated as bomb squads detonated the explosives.

• Read more: Feds Seeking Moorestown Teen Who Caused Explosion: Police

The FBI has gotten involved as federal authorities searched for the suspect, who was not in custody as of Monday afternoon.

Patch contacted local and federal officials with questions on Tuesday morning and will update as more information becomes available.

Here's what we know about the explosive incident.

No Criminal Intent Suspected

The teen suspect is expected to be charged with causing or risking widespread injury or damage and having a prohibited weapon or device, police said Monday afternoon at a news conference.

But it appears that he didn't obtain the explosive materials with any criminal intent, said Moorestown Police Director Patrick Reilly.

The suspect, who lives on East Oak Avenue, brought the materials to a friend's home on Cove Road to help his fellow students with a science project, Reilly said.

Although the suspect wasn't in custody, authorities said there is no threat to the community.

Who Is The Suspect?

The suspect is a senior at Moorestown High School. Previously, officials reported that he was underage. However, he turned 18 on Saturday.

Police have not released the suspect's name as of Tuesday.

The suspect did not show up to school on Monday, officials said.

What Charges Is He Facing?

The Moorestown Police Department is leading the investigation, while the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office has been responsible for reviewing the investigative findings to determine charges.

Prosecutors recommended at least two criminal charges as of Monday afternoon: causing or risking widespread injury or damage and possessing a prohibited weapon or device.

Federal authorities were searching for the suspect on Monday. It's unclear whether he is considered a fugitive or whether he's facing additional charges.

Why Are The Feds Involved?

Federal officials collected samples of the explosive materials from the East Oak Avenue home for lab analysis.

An FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force is involved in the investigation. Although the task forces' stated purpose is investigating terrorism, they also chase down leads in incidents in which terrorism isn't suspected.

On Monday, Reilly was unaware of any federal charges the suspect may be facing. But he said the lab results could change things.

The materials were getting transported to the lab on Monday, and it's unclear when the results will be in.

"The FBI Task Force, they are just kind of monitoring and waiting for the lab results," Reilly said. "If it looks like something that is significant, they may take over the investigation. But as of right now, it's our investigation with the prosecutor's office."

Federal officials are also leading search efforts to search for the suspect. Details on the search remain murky.

Anyone with information can contact Moorestown detectives at 856-234-8300.