A Georgia resident is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to authorities. The man, identified as 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, was found at the bustling airport with an AR-15-style rifle and several rounds of ammunition in his vehicle.
Cagle, a convicted felon, has been charged with attempting violence at an international airport, making interstate threats to harm others, and possessing a firearm illegally. The charges were formally presented in a criminal complaint filed on Tuesday.
“The complaint alleges that Cagle made a disturbing threat of violence against innocent travelers at the world’s busiest airport, wielding a weapon he was prohibited from having,” stated U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Fortunately, thanks to alert citizens and swift law enforcement action, a potential disaster was prevented.”
According to Hertzberg, Cagle allegedly made the threat during a FaceTime call on Monday, where he reportedly mentioned Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as his target.
The Atlanta Police Department released a photo of Cagle following his arrest on October 20, 2025, after the alleged threats were made.
During the call, Cagle is said to have declared, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” before abruptly ending the conversation, Hertzberg noted.
The person on the other end of the call went to the Cartersville Police Department to report Cagle’s threat, and officers with 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 reportedly driving.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a Monday afternoon news conference that Cagle arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m. Officers do not believe he was armed, Schierbaum said, adding that video showed him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint.
Chevrolet flat-bed pickup truck and recovered AR-15 rifle that police say belonged to 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, found parked curbside at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 20, 2025. (Atlanta Police Department)
Officers canvassed the area and issued a “be-on-the-lookout” alert for Cagle and his Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck.
Schierbaum said officers, using a photo of Cagle, found him at 9:54 a.m. and took him into custody.
During a safety sweep of the airport’s outer perimeter, officers found Cagle’s pickup. Inside, they said they discovered an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds in the back seat. The weapon was cleared, and the scene declared safe.
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 following an alleged threat to “shoot it up.” (Atlanta Police Department)
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from both the Cartersville and Atlanta police departments and Clayton County District Attorney’s office.
“This is a perfect example of ‘See Something, Say Something’ in action,” FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said. “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.”
Cagle has a criminal history, including a “pretty significant” prior drug-possession arrest in Cartersville, according to Schierbaum.
The charges against Cagle announced Tuesday are in addition to charges announced previously. Those include terroristic threats, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
