WASHINGTON — The president of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland says students have been sent home and classes are canceled until further notice.
After speaking with law enforcement about the developing situation of missing student, Jacob Marberger — who is wanted and reportedly could be carrying a gun — school President Sheila Bair decided to close the school out of caution.
However, Bair said during a press conference that there have been no threats made against the school or its students.
In early October, the college says someone anonymously reported Marberger displayed a gun in his fraternity house.
“The students did not feel threatened by him . These were his fellow fraternity brothers,” Chestertown Police Chief Adrian Baker said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
A search of Marberger’s room and interviews turned up nothing, but detectives say they later found the unloaded antique revolver, which resulted in Marberger’s temporarily suspension and mandatory mental evaluation.
Campus security director Jerry Roderick says his suspension meant the respected student government speaker lost his spot in his fraternity. When Marberger returned to campus last week, Roderick said he was confronted to step down from his SGA post since his actions went against school policy.
He resigned Sunday, Roderick said.
Early Monday morning, Marberger drove to his parents suburban Philadelphia house, entered the house and left while they were sleeping, police said.
“And the parents were concerned he may have possibly left with a weapon,” Roderick said.
When they reported that fact to the school, administrators canceled class, and asked students and faculty to shelter in place before sending them home Tuesday.
Marberger, who hasn’t been seen since Monday and is now wanted by police, charged with four misdemeanors for having the gun on campus.
Anyone with information about him is asked to call police at 410-778-1800.
