Saturday afternoon, the university community was messaged via CapAlerts that there was an armed white male suspect entering Schaaf Residence Hall.
The alert read, “Armed white male entering Schaff hall. Everyone please shelter in place! Do not go out until further notice.”
A minute later, students received another alert to use caution, avoid approaching the suspect and call the Public Safety phone number if they had any information.
The alleged suspect was Jonah Marks, a first-year student at the university.
According to the police report provided by Public Safety, a Capital University Police Department (CUPD) dispatcher “observed a student enter NW [northwest] Schaaf Hall with what appeared to be a firearm.”
Allegedly, as Marks entered the building, his behavior and crouched stance helped the dispatcher and a CUPD officer confirm their belief that Marks was in possession of a firearm.
Upon this confirmation, CUPD, the Bexley Police Department and the Columbus Division of Police responded to Schaaf Hall to conduct a search.
During the search of Schaaf Hall, officers opened unlocked doors attempting to find the suspects who were still at large, according to students who were in the building at the time.
According to the incident report, Marks was prompted by receiving the Cap Alert (containing a picture of himself), to call CUPD and inform them of his location.
Once the officers entered room 209, they made contact with Marks and two other university students, Noah McCullen and Zeke Penvose.
After the suspects were “secured,” “the room was searched for weapons,” according to the incident report. Officers found no weapons in the search, only “a large number of alcoholic beverages.”
Since all the subjects were underaged, the alcohol was seized.
A “large black cellphone presented as a firearm” was also uncovered during the search.
CUPD Chief Scott Kunkle said, “One [Marks] was charged by Bexley Police with Misdemeanor ‘Inducing panic,’” an offense that was committed with “reckless disregard.”
Because this is an ongoing conduct investigation, Chief Kunkle said he could not comment on any disciplinary action the students may face from the university.
The report, however, confirms that Marks was suspended from Schaaf Hall; his room key and Cap ID, which grants him access to university buildings, were collected and “will be maintained until told to release it and to whom it is to be released,” according to the incident report.
Marks is a member of the university’s baseball team.
“Jonah is a well respected player and teammate of our baseball program, however this is an unfortunate situation for Jonah and his family,” said head baseball coach Scott Manahan. “We as a baseball program have no influence on what happens next. This falls under the review of the Campus and Student Conduct, our role and goal will be to support him the best we can while he goes through this process.”
At the conclusion of the incident, students received duplicate Cap Alerts that read, “All Clear. Gas leak has been fixed. Resume normal activities.”
These were followed by “All Clear. There was no GAS Leak. The suspect has been apprehended and Schaaf Hall is safe for reentry. Thank You for your understanding and cooperation.”
In response to the incident, Deanna Wagner, associate provost, updated students through email.
Wagner expressed to students that there would be resources on campus to help those who were scared or triggered by the event.
Her email listed Resident Assistants, the after-hours counseling team, the Center for Health and Wellness and the university pastor as resources students should access if they needed help or someone to talk to.
Additionally, Sunday morning, counselor Meredith Fine and campus facility dog, Archer, were available in Schaaf Lobby to talk with students if needed.
