Washington College Closes After Alleged Gun Threat From Student
CHESTERTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- Campus on alert. Washington College remains on lockdown overnight after fears of a student with a gun.
Meghan McCorkell with more on what may have sparked the incident.
Washington College remained on lockdown Monday night and although school officials initially said they would reopen Tuesday, they changed their minds due to new information they were canceling classes.
Dear Campus Community: In the interest of caution and due to new information received from law enforcement at 9:15 this...
Posted by Washington College on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
The campus of Washington College remains on high alert late into the night after going into lockdown due to fears of a student with a gun.
"It's a little scary at first. We got a text message at five in the morning. That's kind of scary to wake up to."
The search continues for 19-year-old Jacob Marberger. His parents told police their son drove from the Eastern Shore college to his Pennsylvania home overnight and took a rifle case that may have a gun in it.
Family members say Marberger was despondent over issues at college. Classmates say he'd recently been suspended.
"From what I know is that he hazed a potential member of his frat, basically, and pulled out a gun on him. Everybody kind of thought it was a joke, so it was kind of let go. And then it was brought up to public safety later that week."
There's been no sign of Marberger since early Monday morning.
"We've closed campus and whatnot just in the interest of being cautious."
Entrances to the college remain blocked off and will be guarded by police officers overnight.
Students told to stay in their dorm rooms throughout the day were escorted to dining halls by police.
Classmates of Marberger's hope this is a misunderstanding.
"He was an outspoken guy. He's very intelligent. He was on the senate. He was a nice guy from what I saw."
Police say the teen did not make any threats against the school and is considered missing.
Marberger was last seen driving a 1997 green Range Rover. Officers are still trying to locate him.
Campus officials are asking anyone with information on Marberger's whereabouts to contact police.