Georgia man accused of threatening Atlanta airport with rifle
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A Georgia A man accused of threatening to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been indicted on federal charges after authorities say he arrived at the busy travel hub with an AR-15-style rifle and dozens of rounds of ammunition in his truck.
Convicted felon Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was charged Tuesday with attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communication of threats to injure another person and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“As alleged in this complaint, Cagle threatened to inflict horrific violence on innocent passengers, at the busiest airport in the world, with a high-powered weapon that he had no legal right to possess,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Thanks to the vigilance of other citizens and the swift action of law enforcement, a terrible tragedy was averted.”
Hertzberg said Cagle was on a FaceTime call Monday when he threatened to “shoot up the airport.” The airport Cagle was referring to was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was arrested by police on October 20, 2025 after threatening to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (Atlanta Police Department)
While on the call, Hertzberg added, Cagle allegedly said, “I’m at the airport, and I’m going to rat-a-tat-tat,” before abruptly ending the call.
Got to the person on the other end of the call Cartersville Police Department to report Cagle’s threat, and department officials alerted the Atlanta Police Department. Cartersville also provided Atlanta police with photos of Cagle and a description of the Chevrolet pickup truck he was driving.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum At a news conference Monday afternoon that said Cagle arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m., officials do not believe he was armed, Schierbaum said, adding that video showed him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint.
Arrested after police allegedly threatened to ‘shoot up’ man with AR-15 at Atlanta airport.
A Chevrolet flat-bed pickup truck and an AR-15 rifle seized by police belonging to 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle were found parked curbside at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 20, 2025. (Atlanta Police Department)
Authorities canvassed the area and issued a “be-on-the-lookout” alert for Cagle and his Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck.
Schierbaum said officers used a photo of Cagle to locate him at 9:54 a.m. and take him into custody.
During the security sweep of Outer perimeter of the airportOfficers found Cagle’s pickup. Inside, they said they found an AR-15 loaded with 27 rounds in the back seat. The weapon was cleared, and the scene was declared safe.
Travelers pass through a crowded TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the morning of Oct. 20, 2025, before police arrested Billy Joe Cagle after allegedly threatening to “shoot him.” (Atlanta Police Department)
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.
“This is a great example of ‘See Something, Say Something’ in action,” FBI Atlanta Special Agent Superintendent Paul Brown said. “When Billy Joe Cagle’s family realized something was wrong, they alerted authorities. Their quick thinking — along with the swift, heroic response of our law enforcement partners — undoubtedly saved lives.”
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Cagle has a criminal history, including a “significant” prior drug possession arrest in Cartersville, according to Schierbaum.
The charges against Cagle announced Tuesday are in addition to previously announced charges. These include Terrorist threatsPossession of a firearm while committing a felony, criminal attempt to commit an aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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