On Thursday evening, a hazardous materials incident at a Utah State University (USU) dormitory resulted in the arrest of a student and the mass evacuation of residents. Joshua Peter Jager, 20, faces charges of recklessly causing a catastrophe and disorderly conduct following the release of hydrochloric acid gas in Mountain View Tower. The incident unfolded just hours after Jager had been questioned by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, raising concerns about his activities and intentions.
The incident began with a fire alarm activation at Mountain View Tower shortly before 7:45 p.m. Responding authorities discovered the first floor enveloped in a vaporous substance later identified as hydrochloric acid gas. The ensuing evacuation involved emergency medical services, the Logan Fire Department, a hazardous materials team, and USU police. Residents were forced to evacuate through the gas, leading to contamination concerns. Initial estimates placed the cleanup and restoration costs between $10,000 and $20,000, with additional labor and overtime expenses expected.
The incident followed an earlier encounter between Jager and USU police. On Monday, officers responded to a fire alarm in Jager’s dorm room. Jager claimed to be boiling water and vinegar to cook potatoes, but police discovered a collection of chemicals, including silver nitrate and potassium carbonate, along with machinery, tools, and numerous batteries. Suspecting potential drug or explosive manufacturing, bomb technicians were called to the scene. They confiscated the chemicals and declared the room safe. Jager was instructed to remove all chemicals and refrain from cooking in his dorm.
The investigation into Jager’s activities intensified on Thursday morning when he was questioned by USU police about the chemicals found in his room. He asserted that he had possessed the chemicals for years and had not used them for illicit purposes. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the questioning, inquiring about any connections Jager might have to terrorist organizations. Jager denied such ties, claiming his possession of the chemicals in the dorm was a mistake. Following the interview, the FBI and a certified peace officer instructed Jager to cease using chemicals and to contact authorities if he found any more in his dorm for proper disposal.
Just six hours after the FBI questioning, the hydrochloric acid gas incident occurred. Jager admitted to triggering the alarm and stated he had discovered more chemicals that he was attempting to neutralize. This raised immediate questions about his previous statements and the true nature of his activities.
The incident’s timing, closely following the FBI questioning, inevitably fueled speculation about Jager’s motivations and the potential seriousness of his actions. While the investigation is ongoing, the incident highlights the potential dangers associated with unregulated chemical handling and the importance of prompt reporting of suspicious activities. The university has stated that other charges may be added as the investigation progresses. In the aftermath of the incident, USU provided temporary housing for displaced students and offered academic support through the CARE Office to mitigate the disruption caused by the evacuation. While no other students required decontamination, the incident undoubtedly caused significant disruption and raised concerns within the university community.
