A Londoner wants answers after returning home from a six-day evacuation, as an investigation across the street on Chesham Pl. and Chesham Ave. escalated to RCMP involvement on Wednesday.
The neighbour of those facing charges, who asked to stay anonymous, said they were given an original timeline on Jan. 27 of two days to return home. They came back on Monday to witness police maintaining surveillance at 212 Chesham Pl. despite already apprehending the suspects involved in the case.
Forensics on-scene at Chesham Ave. and Chesham Pl., Feb. 4, 2026. (Naomi Ljunggren / XFM News)
Police have been on site since Jan. 24, when a trespassing incident at Western University led them to a residence where they found chemicals and firearms. They have since charged four people with a slew of offences including possession of a prohibited firearm, manufacturing a firearm and unlawful possession of explosives.
“It’s bizarre. It’s a very quiet neighbourhood… a lot of students in this neighbourhood too but they aren’t really partiers and there’s never been a problem,” said the neighbour.
Court documents show that three of the accused- 21-year-old Feiyang (Astrid) Ji, 25-year-old Fei (Frank) Han and 26-year-old Zekun Wang live in the residence. The fourth person, 27-year-old Jerry Tong, resides in Gatineau, Que.
“I don’t understand. They’re very educated, they’re very intelligent,” said the neighbour, who questioned why the accused may have done this.
They said one of the accused came to introduce himself when he moved in, but aside from that they have no relationship with those involved.
“If they get out on bail, are they gonna come back home?” said the neighbour.
“I have questions, but nobody can answer them.”
Although the situation came out-of-the-blue, said the neighbour, they have “no complaints” about police involvement and are just glad they [police] were able to find the potentially dangerous items.
Roads that were initially closed in the days after have re-opened and police said they will continue to monitor the neighbourhood for an indefinite length of time.
Police maintain a presence at a home on Chesham Ave. Feb. 2, 2026. (Hayden King/XFM News)
The London Police said the investigation has since brought in the RCMP as the case spreads to Ottawa and Quebec.
“The London Police Service works collaboratively with our Provincial and National partners, including the RCMP, on a multitude of criminal investigations. The RCMP has been notified of this investigation and is providing support,” said a statement from police.
The RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team wrote in an email to London Free Press on Tuesday that it is “providing investigative support and assistance on national security issues.”
XFM News reached out to RCMP for information but it did not respond.
Tong, Hang and Ji came to court on Tuesday for their bail phase hearings. Tong will appear for his bail hearing on Feb. 24 and Ji will appear by video on Feb. 10.
Wang showed for his bail hearing Wednesday morning, but it was moved to Feb. 9 after additional charges were given.
