Ex-student episode triggers Cheltenham 'lockout'

Cheltenham High School was in a "lockout" with increased security Monday after learning that a former student now attending a Maryland college might have retrieved a gun from his parents' home.

However, officials at Washington College in Chestertown said the student, Jacob Marberger, had made "no direct threat" against the campus. Police in Maryland and Pennsylvania identified Marberger as a missing person and had no warrants for his arrest.

"We received notification early this morning from the parents of sophomore Jacob Marberger that he had returned home and retrieved a firearm," the college said in a notice to students posted early Monday. "The parents have not been able to reach him and do not know where he is or where he is headed."

Cheltenham police said Marberger, 19, arrived at his parents' home at 3 a.m. Monday and took a rifle case. His family was not certain whether the bolt-action rifle was inside the case when he took it.

A relative told police that Marberger "has been despondent over some recent issues at the college," Cheltenham police said Monday, but had made no threats against anyone in Pennsylvania or Maryland.

"We haven't heard anything since he turned off his phone at 4:30 this morning," his father, Jon Marberger, said Monday afternoon. "We are hoping that he will respond and that we will get to see him soon."

Citing "an abundance of caution," Washington College closed Monday. Students on campus were told to shelter in place.

By 9 a.m., the safety alerts spread to the Cheltenham Township School District.

Cheltenham school officials had learned of "a threat to [the Washington College] campus made by a person who is a former Cheltenham student," the district said in an announcement.

Classes continued, but a "lockout" restricting who could enter and exit the building remained in effect during the school day. The school district canceled afternoon activities, and all of its schools held recess indoors.

"We are just being very, very precautionary to make sure that everyone is safe," said school district spokeswoman Susan O'Grady.

According to Marberger's Facebook page, he is involved in his college's student government association, has participated in student theater productions, and is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Police described Marberger as 130 pounds and 5-foot-4 with brown curly hair. He was last seen driving a 1997 dark green Land Rover with Pennsylvania license plate JWY-5876.

Officials said they did not believe Marberger was near Washington College's campus Monday afternoon, said Michael O'Connor, the school's spokesman.

"We're just hoping that Jacob gets in touch with his friends, with his family," O'Connor said. "He is not believed to be near campus, but we do not know."

The college announced Monday evening that it would resume normal operations Tuesday, with a continued law enforcement presence and counseling available for students.

lmccrystal@phillynews.com

610-313-8116 @Lmccrystal