Atlanta, GA – A Cartersville man was arrested Monday after allegedly threatening during a video call to “shoot up the airport,” prompting an immediate law enforcement response that ended with his arrest inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Federal prosecutors said 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, a convicted felon, was charged with attempted violence at an international airport, making interstate threats, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities said a high-powered rifle and dozens of rounds of ammunition were found inside his truck parked outside the terminal.
Key Points
- Billy Joe Cagle allegedly threatened to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during a FaceTime call
- Police located an AR-15-style rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in his truck outside the terminal
- Cagle faces federal charges including attempted airport violence and felon in possession of a firearm
Threat made during FaceTime call triggered urgent police response
According to court documents, Cagle was on a FaceTime call on October 20 when he allegedly stated, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” before abruptly ending the call. The recipient of the call immediately reported the threat to the Cartersville Police Department, who then alerted Atlanta authorities.
Police used images and vehicle information provided by the witness to locate Cagle inside the airport terminal. Officers detained him without incident as additional units searched the area for potential weapons or explosives.
Rifle found in vehicle outside terminal
Officers soon located Cagle’s Chevrolet truck parked near a crosswalk outside the terminal doors. Inside, investigators discovered an AR-15-style firearm and 27 rounds of ammunition. Authorities said the weapon was loaded and that Cagle, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said the quick response by law enforcement prevented what could have been a deadly event at the nation’s busiest airport. “Cagle senselessly threatened to do heinous violence to innocent travelers with a weapon he had no right to possess,” Hertzberg said.
FBI, local police credited with averting tragedy
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said the case demonstrated how public vigilance and fast reporting can save lives. “When Billy Joe Cagle’s family noticed something wasn’t right, they alerted authorities,” Brown said. “Their quick thinking—combined with the swift, heroic response of law enforcement—undoubtedly saved lives.”
Cagle faces charges under federal statutes for attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Jones is prosecuting the case.
Cagle remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in federal court.