The University of North Georgia has issued a statement after a man was arrested for allegedly bringing guns to the university's Dahlonega campus and making verbal threats last week.
The alleged incident happened on April 8, with school officials saying it started in the Military Leadership Center on S. Chestatee Street.
"At approximately 11 a.m., UNG Public Safety dispatch received a report from a third party indicating that an individual was seen near the Military Leadership Center carrying what appeared to be a rifle case," the university's statement said. "UNG officers arrived within minutes and began searching for the person of interest."
While investigating at that building, officers said they were told by a witness that the man had placed a rifle case in a vehicle in the parking lot of the nearby library. Library staff then alerted UNG Public Safety officials that a man had made a threatening statement to workers at the front desk there.
"UNG Police officers responded immediately," the statement said. "The individual was located and detained inside the library by 11:15 a.m. No injuries were reported, and the individual was taken into custody without incident."
Officials also reportedly found a concealed handgun on the suspect's waistband and later recovered an "AR-15-style rifle" in his vehicle, which was parked near the library.
The man was identified as Gabriel Jose Hernandez, age 26. He was booked into the Lumpkin County Jail on charges including trespassing, terroristic threats and carrying a weapon in a school safety zone.
Three days later, the UNG Office of the President sent an email to students addressing the incident. That email stated that there was no ongoing threat to the campus, but declined to offer further details regarding the incident, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The full email sent to students is included below:
"To our UNG Community,
In the days since the incident at the Dahlonega campus library, we have heard from many of you — students, parents, faculty, and staff — who are understandably concerned and seeking information about what is happening and reassurance about your safety and well-being. We want to address those concerns directly.
First and most importantly: We remain confident that there is no ongoing threat to the safety of our campus community. The individual involved was quickly taken into custody thanks to the immediate response of our library staff and Public Safety officers, who acted with speed and professionalism. We are grateful to everyone who followed their training and instincts to help ensure a swift and safe resolution.
We also want to acknowledge that these types of situations can leave people feeling unsettled. That is both natural and valid. What makes communication in situations like this challenging is that there are legal and privacy protections, including FERPA, that limit what we can share about individuals involved. We know this can create frustration and uncertainty, but these laws exist to protect everyone’s rights. So, while there may be limits to the details we can share about an incident, we remain fully committed to transparency wherever possible.
Please know this: The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is our highest priority. Each time a report of concern is received, we take every possible step — both seen and unseen, proactive and responsive — to ensure our campuses are safe environments for learning, living, and working. We remain vigilant and proactive, and we continuously evaluate our safety protocols and procedures.
We also want to thank our community. The quick resolution of this situation is a reminder of the power of our shared responsibility. "See something, say something" is not just a slogan — it works. Your awareness, your willingness to report concerns, and your trust in our response systems are vital parts of maintaining a safe campus.
We encourage anyone who has been directly impacted or needs additional support to please reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Counseling Services or Human Resources.
UNG is a place where safety and freedom go hand in hand — a place where we care for each other, look out for each other, and stand together in moments of uncertainty. That will never change.
Thank you for your continued vigilance, care, and trust."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/4/1290394/ung-officials-issue-statement-after-man-arrested-with-rifle-at-dahlonega-campus