Washington College in Maryland closed and evacuated its campus Tuesday morning, after "despondent" student was reported missing with a gun.
Washington College in Maryland was evacuated and classes canceled Tuesday after an armed, "despondent" sophomore was reported missing by his parents.
The FBI is searching for student Jacob Marberger, whose parents called college officials Monday morning to report the 19-year-old had left their home in Pennsylvania with a gun and they were unable to contact him.
The school was on alert following anonymous posts on Yik Yak, a social media app, on Sunday and into Monday following the report.
"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," the school wrote in an online alert Monday morning.
By Tuesday, despite receiving "no direct threats," the college announced the cancellation of all classes and said arrangements would be made for the "small number of students" remaining on campus to "seek shelter in the Washington College community."
That small number was about 50 of the school's 1,400 students, Washington College President Sheila Bair said at a news conference Tuesday.
Marberger was the speaker of the student senate on campus and a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In October, he was suspended for a week and a half after allegedly brandishing an antique handgun while drunk at his fraternity house, the Washington Post reported.
As a result, Marberger was investigated by campus police, kicked out of his fraternity, resigned his office in student government, and faced possible expulsion. His parents described their son as "despondent" in the wake of his suspension.
State attorney for Kent County, Harris Murphey, told the Washington Post that Marberger is wanted on an arrest warrant related to four charges: Dangerous weapon on school property, handgun on a person, possession of a firearm by a minor, illegal possession of ammunition.
At the news conference, Bair said the school would remain closed until Marberger's whereabouts and intentions become known.
Jacob Marberger, from his Facebook profile.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1HUHBxB
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