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A Georgia man has been accused of threatening to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after authorities say he arrived at the busy travel hub with an AR-15-style rifle and dozens of rounds of ammunition in his truck.
Convicted felon Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was charged in a criminal complaint Tuesday with attempted violence at an international airport, threatening to injure another person in interstate communication and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
US Attorney Theodore S. “As alleged in this complaint, Cagle threatened innocent passengers with heinous violence at the world’s busiest airport with a high-powered weapon that he had no legal right to possess,” Hertzberg said. “Thanks to the vigilance of other citizens and the prompt action of law enforcement, a terrible tragedy was averted.”
Hertzberg said Cagle was on a FaceTime call on Monday when he allegedly threatened to “shoot up the airport.” The airport Cagle was referring to was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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A photo provided by police shows 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, who was arrested on October 20, 2025, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after allegedly threatening to “shoot up.” (Atlanta Police Department)
Hertzberg said, before abruptly ending the call, Cagle allegedly said, “I’m at the airport, and I’m going to leave anyway.”
The person on the other end of the call went to the Cartersville Police Department to report Cagle’s threat, and department officials alerted the Atlanta Police Department. Cartersville also provided Atlanta police with photographs of Cagle and a description of the Chevrolet pickup truck he was allegedly driving.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a press conference Monday afternoon that Cagle arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m. Officers do not believe he was armed, Schierbaum said, adding that video shows him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint.
‘Tragedy averted’ at Atlanta airport as police arrest man with AR-15 who allegedly threatened to ‘shoot’.
A Chevrolet flat-bed pickup truck and a recovered AR-15 rifle, which police say belonged to 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, who was found parked on the roadside at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on October 20, 2025. (Atlanta Police Department)
Authorities canvassed the area and issued a “be on the lookout” alert for Cagle and his Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck.
Schierbaum said officers, using Cagle’s photo, found him at 9:54 a.m. and took him into custody.
During a security check of the airport perimeter, officers found Cagle’s pickup. Inside, he said they found an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds in the back seat. The weapon was cleared, and the scene was declared secure.
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Travelers pass through a crowded TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the morning of October 20, 2025, shortly before police arrested Billy Joe Cagle after he allegedly threatened to “shoot up.” (Atlanta Police Department)
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from both the Cartersville and Atlanta police departments and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.
“This is a perfect example of ‘see something, say something’ in action,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “When Billie Joe Cagle’s family noticed something wasn’t right, they alerted authorities. Their quick thinking – coupled with the quick, heroic response of our law enforcement partners – undoubtedly saved lives.”
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According to Schierbaum, Cagle has a criminal history, including a “pretty significant” arrest for drug possession in Cartersville.
The charges announced Tuesday against Cagle are in addition to those previously announced. These include terroristic threats, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
