Washington College in Maryland closes campus on gun threat

Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, closed its campus and asked students to shelter in place Monday morning on reports that a student may be headed to the college with a firearm. Although the student has not been found, college officials consulted with police and said the campus will reopen Tuesday morning for classes and normal operations.

At 7:32 a.m. Monday, Washington College officials told students:

“We received notification early this morning from the parents of sophomore Jacob Marberger that he had returned home and retrieved a firearm. The parents have not been able to reach him and do not know where he is or where is he is headed.

“Due to an abundance of caution the college has decided to close campus for the time being and asks all students and staff on campus to shelter in place. Anyone off campus should stay away from campus until further notice.

“Public Safety has requested and received support from local law enforcement who are now on campus. A sweep of the parking lots and campus buildings is being conducted.

“Updates will be shared as they become available. …”

The Chestertown Police Department, located on the state’s Eastern Shore, said Mr. Marberger is considered a missing person.

Police describe him 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.”

Police moved students from three dorms to the Hodson Hall Commons as they continued to conduct a search of the campus.

College officials updated their statement at 10:55 a.m. and several times during the day, saying they were able to feed the students on campus while they waited for police to complete their investigation.

“Students may move around within their residence halls and use restrooms and showers but at this point should still remain in their residence halls. Off-campus students, faculty, and staff should still not come on campus,” they said.

The Chestertown Police Department is working with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Maryland State Police.

Although Mr. Marberger is still considered missing and students will continue to shelter in place overnight, college officials said they plan to reopen the campus Tuesday morning.

“After consultation with local, county, and state law enforcement agencies, the College plans to resume normal operations tomorrow morning starting at 8:30 a.m. Dining Hall operations will resume at 7:30 a.m.,” they said in a 4:55 p.m. update. “Shelter in place will continue throughout the night.”

Police will continue to investigate and have a presence at the college to ensure that students are safe.

“There has been no evidence of a direct threat against individuals or the campus community as a whole, but the College and law enforcement ask everyone to be cautious and vigilant. If there are any changes during the night, campus will be notified via the WACAlerts system,” college officials said.

Students in their first year at the college are instructed on how to sign up for the WACAlerts and get notifications from the school. To sign up, click here.

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.