JASPER, Ga. – On May 16, 2018, at approximately 10 a.m., our office was notified of an incident involving a substitute teacher who had a handgun in her purse at Harmony Elementary School. As we were notified, the substitute had already been relieved from her classroom and sent home by school officials.

During the investigation, it was determined that several students in the first-grade class that Ms. Julie Gungl was teaching had observed the pistol and brought it to her attention. She then notified school administration. The handgun was a 9mm Springfield and, according to Gungl, it was unloaded at the time. She stated that she forgot the weapon was in her purse upon entering the school.

After completing the investigation, detectives have charged Gungl with possession of a weapon
within a school safety zone. Due to the fact that Gungl had a Georgia Concealed Weapons Permit, this charge is a misdemeanor. Throughout the investigation, Gungl has remained very cooperative and turned herself into the Pickens Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center.

She has been released after posting bail that was set at $1,000.

Statement from Pickens County School Board: