Man arrested at Atlanta Airport after making threats to ‘shoot it up’; police say a ‘tragedy averted’

Family alert led to swift response at world’s busiest airport

Authorities arrested a man inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday after his family warned police he was armed and planned to “shoot up” the airport.

The suspect, Billy Joe Cagle of Cartersville, Georgia, was taken into custody without incident inside the South Terminal shortly before 09:30. While he was unarmed at the time of arrest, police later found an AR-15 assault rifle in his vehicle parked outside the terminal.

Cagle faces multiple charges, including terroristic threats, attempted aggravated assault, and firearm possession by a convicted felon, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said during a news conference. “We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy, because a family saw something and said something,” Schierbaum noted.

Cagle had reportedly livestreamed his journey toward the airport, prompting his family to contact Cartersville Police, who then alerted Atlanta authorities. Surveillance footage showed Cagle observing the TSA check-in area, which was “heavily crowded,” according to Schierbaum.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens praised the swift coordination between agencies: “This individual did have a semi-automatic weapon, and this individual was mentally challenged. When you have those combinations together, it can turn out to be deadly.”

The FBI is assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commended the response, writing on X that she was “thankful this individual was taken into custody by law enforcement before harming anyone.”

Hartsfield-Jackson, which handled over 108 million passengers in 2024, is the world’s busiest airport and a major hub for Delta Air Lines.

Source: CNN