A Georgia man, Billy Joe Cagle, has been federally charged after allegedly threatening to ‘shoot up’ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport while carrying an AR-15 rifle and ammunition. According to authorities, Cagle made the threats during a FaceTime call on Monday, stating that he was at the airport and would ‘rat-a-tat-tat’ before abruptly ending the call. The threat prompted the person on the other end of the call to contact the Cartersville Police Department, which then informed the Atlanta Police Department. Officers from Cartersville provided photos and a description of Cagle and his vehicle, a Chevrolet flatbed pickup.
Cagle was apprehended at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m. on Monday when officers, using the information provided, located him at 9:54 a.m. During a safety sweep of the airport’s outer perimeter, officers discovered Cagle’s truck, which contained an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition. The FBI is investigating the case in collaboration with the Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments, as well as the Clayton County District Attorney’s office.
According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, Cagle was not initially believed to be armed when he arrived at the airport, and video footage showed him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint. However, the subsequent discovery of the AR-15 and ammunition confirmed his illegal possession of the firearm. Cagle, who has a criminal history including a prior drug-possession arrest in Cartersville, faces multiple charges, including attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stressed the severity of Cagle’s actions, stating that his threats could have resulted in a ‘horrible tragedy’ at the world’s busiest airport.
The FBI’s Atlanta Special Agent in Charge, Paul Brown, praised the quick action of both the public and law enforcement, highlighting the effectiveness of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative. ‘When Billy Joe Cagle’s family noticed something wasn’t right, they alerted authorities. Their quick thinking — combined with the swift, heroic response of our law enforcement partners — undoubtedly saved lives,’ Brown said. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to prevent potential mass shootings and the importance of public vigilance in maintaining security at critical infrastructure like airports.