FL Man Injected Chemical Opioids Under Neighbors' Door, Making Them Sick: Reports

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa man is facing several charges after he injected chemical opioids under his neighbor's door, causing the family to become sick, according to court documents and multiple reports.

Xuming Li, 36, was captured on surveillance video injecting a mix of methadone and hydrocodone under Umar Abdullah's apartment door at Oxford Place at Tampa Palms, WFLA reported. Li was arrested June 27 and charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including battery, aggravated stalking and possession of a controlled substance, according to Hillsborough County court records.

In an interview with WFLA, Abdullah said Li was his downstairs neighbor. Following the birth of Abdullah's daughter, Li often complained about noises from their apartment, Abdullah told the station.

After a months-long dispute, Abdullah's family experienced multiple bouts of sickness with symptoms including vomiting and grogginess, according to WFLA.

"I look at my daughter," Abdullah told WFLA. "Her eyes were full of tears. She was not crying, but her eyes were full of tears."

Abudallah often smelled chemicals in his home, according to a Tampa Police Department report obtained by NBC News. While Tampa Fire Rescue responded to the family's home on multiple occasions, crews were unable to determine the source of the smell, reports said.

Li's arrest came after Abdullah placed a hidden camera outside his door and captured Li injecting a clear liquid into the family's apartment, according to court documents obtained by The New York Post.

A hazmat test revealed the syringe contained a "liquid chemical agent" of methadone and hydrocodone — both opioid pain medications, according to the Post.

Methadone and hydrocodone are typically used to treat pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Side effects of both narcotics include restlessness, stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, chest pain, diarrhea and hallucinations.

According to reports, Li was a Ph.D. chemistry student at the University of South Florida until summer 2023.

"The safety and well-being of the USF community is our highest priority. The USF Department of Chemistry has several safeguards in place to ensure all chemicals and other materials owned by the university for teaching and research purposes are accounted for and used properly," the University of South Florida said in a statement obtained by the Post.

Li has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court documents. Court records also show Abdullah has filed a lawsuit against Li, and the Oxford Place at Tampa Palms Condominium Association filed a complaint against Li on July 19 to evict him.

The association claims Li breached his rental contract by making residents feel unsafe, court documents obtained by NBC News said.