Police Remain Tight Lipped After Armed Break And Enter At Western University Chemical Lab Leads To "Numerous Precursor Substances and Finished High Explosives"

London police were called to Western University shortly before 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, after a trespassing incident on campus led to the discovery of a loaded firearm and hazardous chemicals capable of producing explosives.

According to police, officers assisted the Western University Special Constable Service after a male suspect was taken into custody following a foot pursuit on campus. A loaded handgun was later located at the scene of the arrest.

Investigators later determined that a second male suspect was involved in the trespassing incident. The investigation led police to a residence at 212 Chesham Place, approximately a five-minute drive from campus.

An engineering student at Western University tells me the suspects were allegedly attempting to break into a chemical laboratory inside the Spencer Engineering Building when they startled a student working late. The student alerted campus police, prompting the response.

Inside the home, officers discovered hazardous chemicals described in court documents as “numerous precursor substances and finished high explosives,” according to the London Free Press. Two additional individuals connected to the residence were arrested. Members of the Explosives Disposal Unit were called in to assess the scene, and the residence was secured.

The home was surrounded by fencing as emergency crews responded. The street was closed to traffic, with police, fire, and ambulance vehicles parked nearby. Two homes across the street were evacuated, and an excavator and portable decontamination shower were brought in, indicating the materials found posed a significant risk.

Police allege the suspects involved in the attempted break and enter at the chemical lab are Jerry Tong, 27, of Ottawa, and Zekun Wang, 26, of London. Both are facing firearm-related and break and enter charges. On Jan. 29, London police also charged Tong and Wang with unlawful possession of explosives.

Fei (Frank) Han, 25, of London, and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji, 21, of London, are facing charges of unlawful possession of explosives.

It remains unclear whether the four accused are Canadian citizens, as each has requested the assistance of a Mandarin interpreter for their bail hearing.

Two of the four accused individuals previously appeared in Western University’s student directory—one listed as a graduate student and another associated with the Faculty of Science. Their names have since been removed from the directory.

The property at 212 Chesham Place is registered to Baoquan Yang, who also owns another residence in London at 452 Whisker Street, located just north of Western University.

On Jan. 30, London police announced that search warrants were executed at two additional properties in Ottawa and Gatineau, Quebec. Police have not disclosed what, if anything, was seized at those locations.

Authorities have released limited information about the incident, leaving many questions unanswered as the investigation continues.