Gwinnett teacher charged with firing gun into neighbor's home

BRASELTON, Ga. — A Gwinnett County high school teacher is facing charges for firing a gun and nearly shooting a teenager.

Police say the bullet went into a nearby home.

Police told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus that Nyree Rapley, 41, and her boyfriend were breaking up and she took his guns, sparking a fight that they say led to bullets flying.

Rapley is a chemistry teacher and cheerleading coach at Mill Creek High School.

Braselton police say on March 20, she and her boyfriend were breaking up at her home on Mossy Oak Landing and there was a lot of arguing.  %

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An incident report said Rapley took her boyfriend’s two guns and locked herself in a bedroom.

Investigators say Rapley told them she was considering shooting herself in the head.

But instead, just before 2 a.m., investigators say she fired one shot into the wall that flew into the town home next door.

Police say a bullet landed just feet from a 16-year-old.

Officers say Rapley's boyfriend kicked down the door and took hold of the revolvers. %

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He told Klaus over the phone that Rapley is a great person and a dedicated and talented teacher.

Some Mill Creek seniors that Klaus spoke with Tuesday night say she has a great reputation.

“From the cheerleaders I've talked to and the staff that I've talked to, they say nothing but good things about her. She's a good coach, good lady, just feel bad for what happened," said senior Trevor Anglin

"I've just heard she's a really kind lady," said Austin Graham.

Back in the neighborhood, Rapley's neighbor Dail Melton hopes everything gets worked out.

"I'm sorry the teacher got herself in a bind. Hopefully nothing bad will really happen to her," Melton said.

A Gwinnett County Public Schools representative says Rapley has been working for the district since 2001and is still employed.

Nobody was hurt in the incident. Rapley's boyfriend admits it could have been a lot worse.

The teacher has been charged with reckless conduct and discharging a firearm.

Cox Media Group