For almost a fortnight, a tan residence in London, Ont.’s tranquil Medway neighborhood has been at the core of an unusual police inquiry spanning from a local university campus to Ottawa, Quebec, and the RCMP’s national security division. The probe originated from a late-night incident at Western University that led to the discovery of potentially hazardous chemicals capable of being turned into explosives. Subsequently, four individuals faced multiple charges in connection with the case.
The incident unfolded when London Police Service (LPS) officers responded to a call at Western University around 1:40 a.m. ET on Jan. 24 regarding a trespasser apprehended by campus security. Following the arrest of a man attempting to flee, law enforcement seized a loaded firearm. Further investigation revealed the involvement of a second individual, leading authorities to 212 Chesham Place, where two more suspects were taken into custody after the discovery of the chemicals.
The suspects, identified as Jerry Tong, Zekun Wang, Fei (Frank) Han, and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji, are either current or former students at Western University with engineering backgrounds. Three of them reside at the Chesham Place location, while Tong is closely linked to the address. The individuals were said to be developing an anti-drone weapon system for potential investor presentation, as disclosed in a recent news report.
Experts have noted that while it is not uncommon for fresh engineering graduates to begin projects from home, certain aspects of the group’s activities have raised concerns. The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) is aiding local authorities in the investigation, with no indications of terrorism or national security threats confirmed by LPS investigators.
The search of multiple residences, including the one on Chesham Place, resulted in the discovery of firearms and chemicals. Charges have been laid against the four suspects, encompassing a range of potential penalties based on the nature of the offenses. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and conduct further inquiries into the matter.