UPDATE: Students react to Washington College lock-down

Washington College was placed on a temporary lockdown Monday after a reported gun threat.

Students like junior Brennan Pierce say it’s nothing he would expect from the small liberal arts college.

“It’s a nice school…you wouldn’t expect this kind of thing to happen.” Says Pierce. “It’s pretty quiet usually.”

Pierce lives off-campus, which is why he could speak with 47 ABC. According to college spokesman Michael O’Connor, more than 1,200 Washington College students are on lock-down as authorities search for sophomore Jacob Marberger.

“That’s what you want to see. You don’t want to see people not taking this seriously. You’d rather air on this side of cautious so nobody gets hurt.” Explained Pierce.

The parents of Marberger, a sophomore at Washington College, allegedly contacted the school around 5 a.m. Monday.

The Washington College website details how his parents claim he returned to their home just outside of Philadelphia to retrieve a firearm. Since then, his parents tell the school they have not been able to reach him. They reportedly do not know where he is or where is he is headed.

47 ABC spoke to other off-campus Washington College students, who described Marberger as an involved student.

“Everyone said he’s really nice and like a good all-around kid, so I was pretty surprised.” Explains junior Alli Dudley.

For students living off-campus, the lock-down meant no entry onto the Chestertown campus which is now guarded by law enforcement. It’s a multi-agency effort including Chestertown Police, Kent County Sheriff’s and the Maryland State Police.

For students on-campus, the lock-down means staying inside their residence halls. Those living in the Cecil, Dorchester and Talbot halls were reportedly evacuated around 10 a.m. at the request of law enforcement in order to a conduct a search.

47 ABC also spoke to Andrew Chirico, a sophomore living in Talbot hall, over the phone on Monday after he and others were relocated to the campus dining hall.

“Some police officers pretty much just barged into our suite and was like…just come with us.” Recalls Chirico. “If you don’t have clothes on, put your clothes on and get out. They give us like even a minute to gather anything.”

As of Monday, Chestertown Police still consider Marberger a missing person. He is described as a 5’4 male, weighing approximately 130 pounds with light skin and curly brown hair. Police say he was last reportedly seen driving a 1997 dark green Land Rover with a Pennsylvania tag beginning with the letters “J-Y-W”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chestertown Police at 410-778-1800 or Public Safety at 410-778-7810.

Washington College says they will resume normal operations starting 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

For updates, click here.