Authorities in Pennsylvania say a 22-year-old is facing criminal charges related to the attempted poisoning of his college roommate following earlier accusations that he was behind racist graffiti left on walls at Lehigh University.

According to the Morning Call, suspect Yukai Yang is identified as a former chemistry major at the school who targeted his black roommate, Juwan Royal.

Earlier this year, he was arrested for his alleged role in leaving a racist epithet along with the message “GET OUT OF HERE” on a desk in their dorm room that belonged to the victim. The destructive display also left Royal’s bed and TV damaged, according to authorities.

District Attorney John Morganelli confirmed that an investigation revealed even more serious allegations against Yang, including the claim that he placed potentially deadly chemicals in Royal’s drinks and food.

He reportedly confessed to police during an interview in May that he had used online sellers to purchase chemicals including thallium and putting them into foods kept in a common refrigerator.

Assistant D.A. Abraham Kassis confirmed that the two men lived together for years as they attended the university and that “Royal was as dumbfounded by this as anyone.”

The alleged victim reported that he was under the belief that the two “had a fairly cordial relationship as roommates.”

Morganelli said Royal “is still experiencing physical symptoms” as a result of the alleged poisoning.

The suspect reportedly surrendered to university cops this week and is expected to face criminal counts including aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. As of the latest reports available, he remained behind bars with bail set at $200,000.

[Featured image: Yukai Yang, handout]