LANSING, MI — Michigan State University students expecting a standard finals week were met with a hazmat crisis instead. A 31-year-old man, identified as Xin Tong, now faces serious felony charges after authorities discovered him inside Wells Hall—the university’s largest academic building—allegedly in possession of materials to operate a methamphetamine laboratory.
The incident led to the sudden week-long closure of the building, displacing thousands of students during one of the most critical weeks of the academic year.
Midnight Discovery Leads to Felony Charges
The investigation began at approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 26, when MSU Police responded to reports of a “suspicious person,” a strange odor, and unknown substances found on the floors of Wells Hall. Officers located Tong on the fifth floor carrying four to five bags.
While he was initially hit with a trespassing charge, a subsequent search warrant executed at 4 a.m. the following morning revealed a much more dangerous situation. Inside Tong’s bags, police found a cocktail of chemicals used in meth production, including:
- Sodium hydroxide pellets & Hydrochloric acid
- Methanol & Isopropyl alcohol
- Acetone & Butane
Ingham County Prosecutors have since charged Tong with operating/maintaining a meth lab and malicious destruction of a building over $20,000.
The $20,000 Damage Mystery
While campus police later clarified that they did not find a “functioning lab” set up in the building, the damage caused by the chemicals was extensive. Court records indicate that between April 10 and April 26, Tong allegedly used these substances to intentionally damage flooring and doors throughout Wells Hall.
MSU Police Chief Mike Yankowski stated that while the initial estimate is $20,000, the final repair bill is expected to be “a significant amount more.”
Security Questions Linger
One of the most alarming aspects of the case is Tong’s access to the building. Authorities confirmed Tong is an international citizen and a former student who has not been enrolled at MSU since 2022. Despite his expired ID, he was able to frequent the building for over two weeks before being caught.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has since placed a bond hold on Tong, who is currently being held at the Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.
Chaos During Finals Week
The closure of Wells Hall on April 27 forced the relocation or postponement of over 50 final exams. Students reported being in the middle of tests when fire alarms began to blare, with many only finding out days later that the “chemical leak” they were told about was actually a criminal investigation into drug manufacturing.
“We weren’t told anything… just that there was a potential chemical leak,” said sophomore Bralyn Campbell. “When we saw the news that it was a meth lab thing, it was a couple days after.”
What Do You Think, Spartans?
This incident raises major questions about campus safety and building access after hours.
- Should MSU implement stricter key-card access for academic buildings at night?
- Were you one of the students evacuated during your finals?
Share your experience and thoughts on campus security in the comments below!
