Man allegedly poisoned co-worker’s shoes and water bottle over promotion

A man allegedly poisoned his co-worker’s water bottle and shoes with lab chemicals after the victim received a promotion that he wanted.

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According to a press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department, authorities responded to a research lab on the university’s campus after receiving a report of “an unknown odor coming from items in an office.”

Upon retrieving the items in question, authorities found that the suspicious items tested positive “for the presence of a chemical.”

Shortly after the investigation began, 41-year-old Makoto Kuroda, who worked at the UW-Madison’s Influenza Research Institute with the victim since 2017, texted a coworker to confess to the crime, local outlet WISC reported.

“I did it,” Kuroda allegedly wrote. “I have also informed the person himself.”

Kuroda was arrested and allegedly told police that he put the chemicals in the victim’s belongings because the victim received a promotion that he wanted.

Additionally, he reportedly complained about other issues like how the victim did not wear a lab coat or goggles.

Kuroda allegedly said that he mixed 0.5 milliliters of 4% paraformaldehyde into the victim’s water bottle and 1.5 milliliters of Trizol and 1.5 milliliters of 4% paraformaldehyde into each shoe.

He further explained that 10 milliliters of paraformaldehyde could potentially k!ll someone if consumed.

WISC reported that Kuroda was banned from all campus laboratories.

Police said Kuroda was charged with second-degree reckless endangering safety.