A student whose disappearance prompted the closing of Washington College's Maryland Eastern Shore campus faces four misdemeanor charges for having a weapon on campus last month.
The campus is closed "in the interest of safety" until further notice as an intense search continues for 19-year-old sophomore Jacob Marberger, who may have a rifle.
The school asked students to check out of their dorms. Those able to return home have returned home, Washington College President Sheila Bair said. Local housing arrangements are being made for those student who can't return home. Fewer than 50 students remain on campus.
Marberger's parents told the school early Monday their son went to the family's home outside Philadelphia and "retrieved a firearm." His parents haven't been able to reach him and don't know where he is.
In response, Washington College canceled classes Monday, and students sheltered in place through the day and overnight. The school reopened around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, but a little more than an hour later, officials announced that the campus would close again "in the interest of caution and due to new information received from law enforcement." It will remain closed Wednesday.
Washington College staff members went to residence halls to officially check students out of their dorms.
"All students who can leave campus and return home should do so after they check in with the WC staff member," school officials said. "Students who live off-campus should stay in their off-campus housing or return home. Students who are unable to return home should attempt to travel with a friend if possible, or should stay in their residence hall room until further arrangements can be made."
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Students who live off-campus and non-essential staff members should remain off-campus, college officials said.
There is a warrant out for Marberger's arrest. College spokesman Mike O'Connor said the warrant -- on charges including possession of a gun by someone under the age of 21, having a gun on campus and illegal possession of ammunition -- stemmed from a late October incident that involved an antique weapon that wasn't loaded, NBCPhiladelphia.com reported.
"We would like to reiterate that we have not had any direct threats against campus or any members of our community, but in the interest in caution we feel closing campus until the situation changes is the best course of action," school officials said. "Anyone who has contact with Jacob should contact law enforcement immediately."
Chestertown Police Chief G. Adrian Baker said Marberger first came to attention in October for displaying the gun. The Oct. 9 incident at a fraternity house was reported Oct. 23, and authorities searched Marberger and his room but didn't find a weapon. Authorities said they learned the gun was taken off campus a day after the incident. It was recovered by police at an off-campus residence Oct. 29, and Marberger was temporarily suspended and evaluated.
Marberger's fraternity brothers told police they did not feel threatened when he showed the gun, police said.
Two days before the gun incident, someone placed a trash can filled with water against the door to Marberger's dorm room so that the water would spill into the room when he opened the door, authorities said, and Marberger said he felt persecuted by students on campus.
Officials said Monday morning that Marberger was believed to be in Pennsylvania. Cheltenham High School, which Marberger attended, was placed on lockout Monday as a precaution. No one was allowed in or out of the school. The school remained on alert Tuesday.
Marberger is white with curly brown hair, 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He was last seen driving a 1997 dark green Range Rover with Pennsylvania tags beginning with "JWY."
Marberger's father, Jon, said his son was suspended from school for a period this fall but wouldn't discuss why. Jacob Marberger had just completed his first full week back on campus after being cleared to return by a forensic psychologist who felt he was not a threat to himself or others, NBC10 in Philadelphia reported.
Sunday night, Jacob Marberger resigned his post as speaker for the student government, which "meant a lot to him," said his father. Jon 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 whom his father describes as close 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 father called the college.
Local law enforcement officers were called to campus and conducted a sweep of the parking lots and campus buildings Monday. Residents of the Cecil, Dorchester and Talbot residence halls were 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.
O'Connor said Monday that Marberger had not been spotted on campus.
Washington College said it will post more updates as they become available.
