Md. college closed amid search for missing student who may be armed

CHESTERTOWN, Md. -- Officials canceled classes at Washington College on Maryland's eastern shore for a second day amid a search for a missing student who may be armed.

The parents of 19-year-old Jacob Marberger, a student at the school who had been asked to leave campus last month, called the school Monday morning and said their son had left their Pennsylvania home in his car and had possibly taken a gun with him, college spokesman Michael O'Connor told 48 Hours' Crimesider.

Marberger remains missing. O'Connor said the teen is wanted by the Chestertown Police Department in Maryland for gun charges related to an Oct. 9 incident at the school in which he allegedly displayed an unloaded antique pistol at his dorm while intoxicated.

O'Connor said the school didn't become aware of the alleged incident until they received tips about it several weeks later. Following a public safety investigation, O'Connor said the school on Oct. 29 asked his parents to remove their son from campus pending an evaluation. The case was turned over to the Chesterfield police, resulting in the gun charges.

O'Connor stressed that the school hasn't received a direct threat, but made the decision to essentially close campus after consulting with law enforcement and because of "the mood of the parents, students and staff."

"Everyone's very tweaked right now," he said.

Students and non-essential personnel have been asked to leave campus. Many students have returned to their homes, and families in the area have offered to take in international students and others without a place to stay nearby, O'Connor said.

Police in Marberger's hometown of Cheltenham Township, Penn. -- a Philadelphia suburb about 100 miles northeast of the school -- told the Baltimore Sun Monday that Marberger's parents had told them he was "despondent over recent issues at college." O'Connor said he couldn't speak to what the teen may have said to his parents, and said the parents told the school Marberger had driven away without speaking to them.

Cheltenham Township police told the Sun Marberger's parents said he had removed a rifle case from their home, but weren't sure whether the gun was in the case.

O'Connor said Marberger was facing charges in the Oct. 9 incident 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.

O'Connor said he couldn't say when the campus would re-open and said officials would take the situation "day by day."

Chestertown police are asking anyone with information to call 410-778-1800.