A 26-year-old man was arrested after allegedly bringing multiple weapons onto the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Dahlonega Campus and making a threatening statement inside the university library earlier this month.
Nobody was injured during the incident.
UNG spokesperson Clark Leonard released a statement to Now Habersham Thursday, April 17, confirming that the incident began around 11 a.m. on April 8 when UNG Public Safety received a report from a third-party witness who saw an individual near the Military Leadership Center (MLC) carrying what appeared to be a rifle case. Officers responded within minutes and began searching the area.
While the initial search did not locate the individual near the MLC, further witness accounts indicated the suspect had placed the rifle case inside a vehicle parked near the university’s library and technology center.
As the investigation continued, at 11:13 a.m., library staff contacted public safety officials to report a man inside the building allegedly made a threatening statement to front desk personnel. College officials say officers responded immediately and detained the individual by 11:15 a.m. without incident. No injuries were reported.
During the arrest, police allegedly recovered a concealed handgun from the suspect’s waistband, and a subsequent search of the vehicle identified by witnesses revealed an AR-15-style rifle, according to officials.
The suspect, identified as Gabriel Jose Hernandez, was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including criminal trespass, terroristic threats and acts, carrying a weapon in a school safety zone and parking in a handicap zone.
“The university remains committed to campus safety and is grateful for the swift actions of our students, staff and community members who reported what they observed, and especially the professionalism of our public safety officers,” a statement by Leonard said.
