Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, will remain closed until further notice as a “high-intensity search” continues for a student who is thought to be headed to the campus with a gun.
The college reversed its decision to reopen the campus Tuesday morning, located on the state’s Eastern Shore, as police issued an arrest warrant for sophomore Jacob Marberger, 19.
College officials said in a statement that they had received new information from police, and so they decided to close the campus. The college didn’t elaborate on what that new information was.
Anyone who is currently off-campus should remain off-campus.
“Again, 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,” the college said.
On Monday, Mr. Marberger’s parents, who live in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, told the college that their son had returned home and retrieved a firearm. Various media have reported that he took a rifle case.
“The parents have not been able to reach him and do not know where he is or where is he is headed,” college officials said on Monday, although they stressed that no specific threat was made.
College spokesman Michael O’Connor told CBSNews that the student was facing charges stemming from an Oct. 9 incident at the school — in which he allegedly displayed on unloaded antique pistol while intoxicated — charges “including possessing a dangerous weapon, possessing a weapon on school property and possessing a firearm as a minor, as well a charge for possessing ammunition he allegedly had in his dorm.”
The Chestertown Police Department is working with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Maryland State Police.
The college kept the students sheltered in place overnight as police swept the buildings and dorms, with the intention of eventually reopening the campus on Tuesday morning.
However, on Tuesday morning, college officials issued a statement warning students not to come to campus and informing the ones that stayed overnight that they should return home if possible:
“There will be a Washington College staff member shortly in the residence hall to check you out before you leave. All students who can leave campus and return home should do so after they check in with the WC staff member. 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.”
Chestertown Police described Mr. Marberger as a white male, 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with curly brown hair. He was last seen driving a 1997 dark green Range Rover with Pennsylvania plates beginning with “JWY.”
Anyone who has any information or has seen Mr. Marberger should contact the Chestertown Police at 410-778-1800 or Washington College’s Department of Public Safety at 410-778-7810.
• Maria Stainer can be reached at mstainer@washingtontimes.com.
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