(JTA) — A Jewish college student from Maryland was found dead in Pennsylvania with what was reported to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The body of Jacob Marberger, a sophomore at Washington College who had been missing since Nov. 16, was discovered Saturday in a nature sanctuary in Kempton. The wound was to his head.
Marberger had left home with a firearm, leading to a shutdown of the school for at least two days until it was decided to close the campus until the end of Thanksgiving break.
The car he had been driving also was found in the sanctuary, according to reports. The sanctuary is located about an hour-and-a-half drive from his family’s home in suburban Philadelphia. It is not known how long his body had been there before it was discovered, The New York Times reported.
In an announcement posted on its website Saturday evening, the college informed the campus community of Marberger’s death.
“This is a terrible blow to our community, and the outpouring of compassion and support we have shown each other will help us through this difficult time,” the post said. “We need to continue to be supportive of each other as we mourn individually and as a community.”
Vigils had been held for Marberger, including one large gathering at Temple Beth Am in Abington, Pennsylvania, the Forward reported.
Marberger had been suspended from campus for two weeks and was facing expulsion for showing off an antique pistol at a campus party, according to the Times. He also was kicked out of his fraternity and dormitory, and was looking at possible criminal charges: It is illegal in Maryland for someone under the age of 21 to possess a firearm. The incident reportedly left Marberger feeling depressed.
He reportedly had not made any threats to the college or fellow students.
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