ATLANTA, GA —A potential tragedy was averted Friday morning when a 49-year-old Cartersville man, identified as Billy Joe Cagle, was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting. Authorities say the quick thinking of his family members and the swift coordination between local law enforcement agencies likely prevented a large-scale loss of life.
According to the Atlanta Police Department (APD), Cagle—who is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms—had live-streamed threats early Friday morning, explicitly stating his intent to “shoot up” the Atlanta airport, which is known as the busiest airport in the world.
Alarmed by the livestream, Cagle’s family members immediately contacted Cartersville Police, who then reached out to Atlanta authorities. This rapid communication set off a coordinated response that unfolded over just a few minutes — a response city officials say saved countless lives.
Timeline of Events
- 9:30 a.m. ET: Cagle arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, reportedly unarmed, and began “scoping out” the South Terminal area after making violent threats on social media.
- 9:40 a.m. ET: His family, having viewed the livestream, became deeply concerned that Cagle intended to follow through on his threats.
- 9:42 a.m. ET: Cartersville Police alerted APD, who immediately dispatched officers to the airport. Within minutes, Atlanta police located and detained Cagle without incident inside the terminal.
A subsequent search of Cagle’s Chevrolet pickup truck, which was parked outside the airport, uncovered a Springfield AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition. Authorities believe Cagle intended to return to the vehicle, retrieve the weapon, and re-enter the terminal to open fire.
“He came in to scope it out,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “He was going to go back out to his truck, get the gun, and come back in to do what he said he was going to do.”
Charges Filed Against Cagle
Cagle now faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Terroristic threats
- Criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Authorities are also working with federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, to determine whether additional federal charges may apply.
A Close Call Averted by Courage and Communication
At a Friday afternoon press conference, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens praised the seamless collaboration between police departments and the courageous actions of Cagle’s family.
“This could have been tragic, but it was averted,” Dickens said. “A crisis was stopped today — 27 or more lives could have been lost. Thanks to the decisive actions of law enforcement and a family who did the right thing, countless lives were saved.”
Officials also noted that Cagle may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident. The case highlights the importance of early intervention and communication when loved ones notice alarming behavior.
“This was a close call,” Mayor Dickens added. “Had his family not called, we might be standing here today talking about dozens of lives lost at one of the busiest airports in the world.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Atlanta Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit and federal investigators continue to examine Cagle’s online activity, weapons acquisition, and travel plans to determine whether others were involved or aware of his intentions.
Authorities are urging the public to report any similar threats or alarming behavior immediately, emphasizing that the vigilance of Cagle’s family made all the difference.
As the investigation continues, officials are reminding residents that see something, say something remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing tragedy.
A family’s quick decision to act turned what could have been one of the darkest days in Atlanta’s history into a story of prevention, courage, and cooperation.
