A Georgia man was apprehended on Monday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport following accusations of threatening to unleash gunfire at one of the nation’s most bustling travel centers.
According to Atlanta police, 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle faces multiple charges, including making terroristic threats, possessing a firearm during the execution of a felony, attempting aggravated assault, and firearm possession as a convicted felon.
Cagle’s family in Cartersville notified local police after witnessing him live-stream a video on social media in which he declared his intention to “shoot it up” at the airport.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens commended the swift action taken by both the family and law enforcement, stating, “Today, we could have seen at least 27 lives lost due to an individual entering Hartsfield-Jackson from Cartersville, Georgia, with apparent mental health issues. Fortunately, his family alerted the Cartersville police, who then informed the Atlanta Police Department (APD), allowing them to avert this potential crisis.”
A photo provided by the police depicts Billy Joe Cagle, who was detained on October 20, 2025, after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on social media. (Atlanta Police Department)
At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Police Chief Darin Schierbaum revealed that Cagle arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m. Officers have no reason to believe he was armed, Schierbaum noted, further explaining that surveillance footage captured him heading toward a crowded TSA checkpoint.
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.
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)
Video showed officers using two sets of handcuffs to restrain the 6-foot-3, 320-pound man, who screamed as they cuffed him.
During a safety sweep of the airport’s outer perimeter, officers found Cagle’s pickup. Inside, they allegedly discovered an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds in the back seat. The weapon was cleared, and the scene declared safe.
When asked whether Cagle was cooperating or what he told investigators, Schierbaum said the case remains open and declined to share details.
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, after a social-media livestream threat to “shoot it up.” (Atlanta Police Department)
The chief said investigators will also seek to determine Cagle’s motive in the apparent averted mass shooting.
Schierbaum said Cagle has a criminal history, including a “pretty significant” prior drug-possession arrest in Cartersville.
Dickens added, “This individual did have a semiautomatic weapon and this individual was mentally challenged. When you have these combinations together, it can turn out to be deadly.”
