The explosion happened in January 2023 on the sixth floor of a university building, authorities said.
Authorities believe the former UChicago student Aram Brunson, a 21-year-old man from Massachusetts, is currently living Armenia. He was apparently allowed to fly overseas after his luggage set off alarms for traces of explosives.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Brunson, then a 19-year-old sophomore student, was making an explosive device when he accidentally set it off, starting a fire and causing the dorm to be evacuated.
The federal complaint Thursday said Brunson lied to authorities about "efforts to make explosive devices."
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The FBI says it found "two pounds of potassium nitrate," and other materials, which Brunson allegedly said were for making a type of firework for a weekend cabin trip with friends.
However, in a subsequent search of his computer, the federal investigators discovered several videos of Brunson allegedly planning terrorist action and discussing how to "form, fund and arm a revolutionary group" in support of Armenian causes.
"According to the charging documents Brunson's bomb-making activities were linked to his desire to take militant action against Azerbaijanis and others who pose a threat to ethnic Armenians living in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh," a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office read in part. "It is further alleged that Brunson made videos of himself teaching others how to make explosive devices and rig doors and desks with grenades. His internet searches also allegedly suggested that he planned to take action against foreign diplomatic facilities in the United States."
The FBI said a bullet was found in his dorm with a marking, "11/11/22," the date he allegedly told a friend he joined the Chicago chapter of the "Armenian Revolutionary Federation" political party.
Eight months after the dorm explosion, authorities said Brunson's luggage at Boston's Logan Airport set off an alarm for traces of explosive material, but he was apparently allowed, along with relatives, to continue on his trip to Paris and then Armenia.
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During a search of his family's Newton, Massachusetts, home, authorities said a bomb dog alerted investigators to locations in Brunson's bedroom. Agents allegedly discovered notes for making an explosive.
Brunson is currently believed to be living in Yerevan, Armenia, and attending an American university in the country. He is wanted on federal charges.
The University of Chicago issued the following statement Thursday:
"We take the safety of our students extremely seriously. The individual has not been enrolled at the University or permitted in a residence hall since the incident. The University worked closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation."