Georgia man federally charged for threatening Atlanta airport with rifle

A Georgia man accused of threatening to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been federally charged after authorities say he arrived at the busy travel hub with an AR-15-style rifle and dozens of bullets in his truck.

Convicted felon Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was indicted Tuesday on charges of attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communication involving threats to injure the person of another, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“As alleged in this complaint, Cagle senselessly threatened to inflict heinous violence on innocent passengers at the world’s busiest airport with a high-powered weapon that he did not legally possess,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. he said. “Thanks to the attention of other citizens and the quick response of law enforcement, a terrible tragedy was averted.”

Hertzberg said Cagle was on a FaceTime call Monday and allegedly threatened to “shoot up the airport.” The airport Cagle was referring to was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

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Hertzberg added that during the call, Cagle said, “I’m at the airport and I’m going to go to-tat-tat right away,” before abruptly ending the call.

The person on the other end of the call went to the Cartersville Police Department to report Cagle’s threat, and officers at the department alerted the Atlanta Police Department. Cartersville also provided Atlanta police with photos of Cagle and a description of the Chevrolet pickup truck he was said to have been driving.

Cagle arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m., Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference Monday afternoon. Officers did not believe he was armed, Schierbaum said, adding that the video showed him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint.

POLICE ARRESTED THE CANDIDATE WITH AR-15, WHO ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO ‘SHOT’ AT ATLANTA AIRPORT, AND ‘THE TRAGEDY WAS PREVENTED’

The Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck and the recovered AR-15 rifle that police said belonged to 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle were found parked curbside at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 20, 2025. (Atlanta Police Department)

Officers searched the area and issued a “be on the lookout” alert for Cagle and his Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck.

Officers used Cagle’s photo to locate him at 9:54 a.m. and take him into custody, Schierbaum said.

During a security sweep of the airport’s outer perimeter, officers found Cagle’s pickup truck. Inside, they said they found an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds in the backseat. The weapon was cleared and the scene was declared safe.

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Travelers pass through a crowded TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the morning of Oct. 20, 2025, shortly before police arrested Billy Joe Cagle after he threatened to “shoot.” (Atlanta Police Department)

The FBI is investigating the incident with assistance from the Cartersville and Atlanta police departments and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.

“This is a perfect example of ‘See Something, Say Something,'” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown in Atlanta. “When Billy Joe Cagle’s family realized something was wrong, they alerted authorities. Their quick thinking, coupled with the swift, heroic response of our law enforcement partners, undoubtedly saved lives.”

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Cagle has a criminal history, including a “pretty significant” arrest for drug possession in Cartersville, according to Schierbaum.

The charges against Cagle announced Tuesday are in addition to those previously announced. These include terroristic threats, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, attempted aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.