Washington College Campus in Maryland Plans to Reopen Tuesday Morning After Safety Concern

UPDATE: Washington College will remain closed for a second day Tuesday. Please see updates here.


ORIGINAL STORY: The campus of Washington College on Maryland's Eastern Shore, which was closed Monday after the parents of a student contacted the university, plans to resume normal operations Tuesday morning.

Jacob Marberger's parents told the school that he went to the family's home outside Philadelphia and "retrieved a firearm," the university said about 7:30 a.m. His parents haven't been able to reach him and don't know where he is, but officials said later Monday morning that he is believed to be in Pennsylvania.

Cheltenham High School, which Marberger attended, is on lockout as a precaution. No one is allowed in or out of the school.

Marberger is currently considered to be a missing person, the college said. He is white, 5-feet-4-inches tall and 130 pounds with curly brown hair and was last seen driving a 1997 dark green Range Rover with Pennsylvania tags beginning with "JWY."

Nonetheless, the college asked those on campus to shelter in place, and anyone who is not on campus should stay away until further notice, the officials said.

"Due to an abundance of caution the college has decided to close campus for the time being and asks all students and staff on campus to shelter in place," Washington College officials said in a post on their website.

Students will continue to shelter in place overnight, but dining hall operations will begin at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and the college plans to resume normal operations at 8:30 a.m. Police will continue to have a presence on the campus.

Marberger's father, John, said his son was suspended from school for a period this fall but wouldn't discuss why. He had just completed his first full week back on campus after being cleared to return by a forensic psychologist who felt Jacob Marberger was not a threat to himself or others, NBC10 in Philadelphia reported.

Sunday night, he resigned his post as speaker for the student government, which "meant a lot to him," according to his father. John Marberger said his son felt he'd tarnished the image of the office because of his suspension and rumors at school.

Jacob Marberger, an only child who his dad describes as tight with both parents, went home about 3 a.m. Monday while they were sleeping, took a rifle case and left. When his parents realized the gun case was missing and Jacob wasn't answering their phone calls, his dad called the college.

Local law enforcement officers were called to campus and are conducting a sweep of the parking lots and campus buildings. Residents of the Cecil, Dorchester and Talbot residence halls are being moved from their dorms to the Hodson Hall Commons to allow officers to search their buildings.

The college delivered meals to students sheltering in place, and planned to deliver a second round of food.

College spokesman Michael O'Connor said Marberger is a sophomore and has not been spotted on campus.

Washington College said it will post more updates as they become available.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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