A 31-year-old man has been charged with possessing materials for a meth lab and causing damage to property at Michigan State University (MSU). Xin Tong was apprehended on April 29 after police discovered him inside Wells Hall, the university’s largest academic building, during an investigation prompted by reports of trespassing.
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The incident took place on Sunday, April 26, when MSU police received a call regarding alleged trespassing within the campus premises. Upon their arrival, officers found Tong inside Wells Hall with several bags containing various chemicals, subsequently identified as hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane. Police Chief Mike Yankowski indicated that while these items are commonly found in households, they could become hazardous if mixed improperly.
Following initial inspections, authorities confirmed that no meth lab was located in Wells Hall. “Multiple tests performed by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) confirm that the environment in Wells Hall does not pose a risk to our community,” MSU Police and Public Safety stated in a press release issued after the incident.
Although no meth lab was found, Tong is facing felony charges for malicious destruction of property, which relates to claims that he intentionally caused damage to the building between April 10 and April 26. During a subsequent court hearing, Ingham County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Matusko informed the judge that Tong had not been a student at MSU since 2022.
In light of the discoveries made, Wells Hall was temporarily closed and evacuated on the morning of April 27. Although the building was initially slated to reopen the following day, university officials decided to keep it closed in order to allow thorough inspections and to accommodate the ongoing investigation. The decision was made to relocate final examinations to ensure minimal disruption to students.
MSU authorities reassured the community that there was no ongoing risk to safety. “Your safety remains our top priority,” they said in their statement. The facility is expected to remain closed until at least May 1, while officials assess the damage and work on remediation efforts.
Tong is currently being held at Ingham County Jail, with a substantial bond set at $500,000. His next court appearance, a pretrial hearing, has been scheduled for May 8. The unfolding case continues to draw attention, raising concerns about safety and security on university campuses.
In the wake of this incident, there has been an emphasis on the importance of community vigilance and the need for prompt reporting of any suspicious activity. MSU police continue to encourage students to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any unusual occurrences to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all campus members.
As investigations proceed, the community awaits further developments in the case of Xin Tong and the potential implications surrounding the safety protocols on campus.