Police in Fargo are taking charge of the investigation into a missing North Dakota State University student who was last seen over the weekend.

Thomas G. Bearson, 18, a first-year student from Sartell, Minn., was seen leaving a party about 3 a.m. Saturday. His cellphone does not appear to be working, according to Timothy Alvarez, the university's vice president for student affairs.

Alvarez, asked during a news conference recorded on the Grand Forks Herald website Sunday if there were reason to believe Bearson went missing under suspicious circumstances, replied: "I can't answer that at this point."

Bearson lives in a residence hall on the Fargo campus.

Lt. Joel Vettel said that officers will search the neighborhoods around the campus. Firefighters also will search the Red River for signs of Bearson.

Vettel says authorities at this point are not asking the public to participate in any search.

NDSU announced Sunday that Bearson was missing and asked the public for information on his whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call NDSU police at 701-231-8998 or text 701-526-6006.

Bearson was a standout basketball player at Sartell High School.

Staff and wire reports