Posted: Nov. 11, 2009

A 17-year-old Brookfield Central High School student is facing two felony charges in connection with the detonation of a chemical bomb inside the school Tuesday, police say.

The student, arrested Tuesday, is expected to be charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court for recklessly endangering safety and possession of explosives, Brookfield Police Capt. Phil Horter said Wednesday.

The school, which enrolls nearly 1,400 students, was evacuated about 3:30 p.m. after a small plastic bottle filled with a chemical was kicked over in a hallway outside the applied sciences wing, Superintendent Matt Gibson said.

Police said the chemical released a gas that irritated some students' throats and skin. Two people were treated at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital and released, while others were treated at the school.

Evening activities at the school were canceled, and the building was cordoned off for investigation, Gibson said. Classes were held as usual Wednesday.

Horter declined to release further information about the incident, including the student's motivation for the act, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Gibson said the student will face school consequences in addition to the state charges.

Brookfield police are asking anyone with information to call police at (262) 787-3702.