Clock making teen invited to White House, won't face charges

Irving, Texas — (NBC DFW) An Irving, Texas, teen whose homemade clock was confused for a ‘hoax bomb’ by police and school officials will not face charges, police say, and has been invited to the White House.

Irving Chief of Police Larry Boyd said Wednesday that Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old student at Irving MacArthur High School, will not face charges of possessing a ‘hoax bomb’ because there is no evidence to support the teen wanted to create alarm.

Mohamed brought his homemade clock to school this week to show to his engineering teacher after being encouraged by his father to demonstrate his gift for technology.

The clock began beeping in another class and shortly afterward the boy was pulled from class, questioned and searched. A teacher and police officer believed the “suspicious looking” device was a “hoax bomb” and the clock was confiscated. The boy was put in handcuffs and taken to Irving police headquarters for questioning.

Irving Police Officer James McLellan said school officials simply thought the device was suspicious and acted out of caution.

Mohamed was eventually released to his parents, who believe that race played a factor in their son being taken into custody. School officials, however, insist the reaction to the clock would have been the same regardless of his religion.

Following Wednesday’s news conference, President Barack Obama tweeted ‘Cool clock, Ahmed,’ and included an invitation for the teen to come to the White House and show off his homemade clock in person. Obama added that more children should be inspired to take an interest in science.