Georgia man federally charged for threatening Atlanta airport with rifle

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A Georgia man accused of threatening to "shoot up" Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport has been federally charged after authorities say he arrived on the busy journey 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 prison grievance on Tuesday with tried violence at a world airport, interstate communications containing threats to injure the individual of one other and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"As alleged on this grievance, Cagle senselessly threatened to do heinous violence to harmless vacationers, on the world’s busiest airport, with a high-powered weapon that he had no authorized proper to own," U.S. Lawyer Theodore S. Hertzberg mentioned. "Because of the vigilance of different residents and the fast motion of regulation enforcement, a horrible tragedy was averted."

Hertzberg mentioned Cagle was on a FaceTime name on Monday when he allegedly threatened to "shoot up the airport." The airport Cagle was referring to was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport.

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Police-provided photograph exhibits 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, who was arrested Oct. 20, 2025, after allegedly threatening to "shoot up" Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport. (Atlanta Police Division)

Whereas on the decision, Hertzberg added, Cagle allegedly said, "I’m on the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat," earlier than abruptly ending the decision.

The individual on the opposite finish of the decision went to the Cartersville Police Department to report Cagle’s menace, and officers with the division alerted the Atlanta Police Division. Cartersville additionally offered Atlanta police with photographs of Cagle and an outline of the Chevrolet pickup truck he was reportedly driving.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum mentioned at a Monday afternoon information convention that Cagle arrived on the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m. Officers don't consider he was armed, Schierbaum mentioned, including that video confirmed him strolling towards a crowded TSA checkpoint.

'TRAGEDY AVERTED' AT ATLANTA AIRPORT AS POLICE ARREST MAN WITH AR-15 ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO 'SHOOT IT UP'

Chevrolet flat-bed pickup truck and recovered AR-15 rifle that police say belonged to 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, discovered parked curbside at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport on Oct. 20, 2025. (Atlanta Police Division)

Officers canvassed the realm and issued a "be-on-the-lookout" alert for Cagle and his Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck.

Schierbaum mentioned officers, utilizing a photograph of Cagle, discovered him at 9:54 a.m. and took him into custody.

Throughout a security sweep of the airport’s outer perimeter , officers discovered Cagle’s pickup. Inside, they mentioned they found an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds within the again seat. The weapon was cleared, and the scene declared protected.

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Vacationers move by a crowded TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport on the morning of Oct. 20, 2025, shortly earlier than police arrested Billy Joe Cagle following an alleged menace to "shoot it up." (Atlanta Police Division)

The FBI is investigating the case with help from each the Cartersville and Atlanta police departments and Clayton County District Lawyer's workplace.

"This can be a good instance of ‘See One thing, Say One thing’ in motion," FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Cost Paul Brown mentioned. "When Billy Joe Cagle’s household seen one thing wasn’t proper, they alerted authorities. Their fast considering —mixed with the swift, heroic response of our regulation enforcement companions — undoubtedly saved lives."

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Cagle has a prison historical past, together with a "fairly vital" prior drug-possession arrest in Cartersville, in line with Schierbaum.

The fees in opposition to Cagle introduced Tuesday are along with fees introduced beforehand. These embody terroristic threats , possession of a firearm throughout the fee of a felony, prison try to commit aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.