Family Tip Leads to Arrest of Man Accused in Atlanta Airport Shooting Plot
Police arrested a Georgia man at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday after his family alerted authorities that he was planning to “shoot up” the airport, officials said. Officers later found an assault rifle and ammunition in his truck parked just outside the terminal.
Man Arrested at Atlanta Airport Today: What We Know
Police Chief Darin Schierbaum identified the suspect as Billy Joe Cagle, 49, of Cartersville, Georgia. He said Cagle had described his plans to attack the world’s busiest airport in a social media livestream before being apprehended.
“The Cartersville Police Department was alerted by the family of Mr. Cagle that he was streaming on social media that he was headed to the Atlanta airport, in their words, to ‘shoot it up,’ and the family stated that he was in possession of an assault rifle,” Schierbaum said during a news conference. He described Cagle as a “convicted felon.”
Cagle was charged with making terroristic threats, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He remained in custody Monday. Attempts by the Associated Press to reach his family and co-workers were unsuccessful, and it was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
Billy Joe Cagle Planned to Attack Terminal with AR-15: Police
Cagle arrived at the airport around 9:30 a.m. in a Chevrolet pickup truck parked curbside outside the terminal. When police searched the vehicle, they found an AR-15-style rifle with 27 rounds of ammunition, Schierbaum said.
“We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy because a family saw something and said something,” the chief said.
Cartersville police Capt. Greg Sparacio, whose department received the initial tip, said Cagle “had the intention to inflict harm to as many people as he could.”
At the news conference, police showed surveillance video of Cagle’s arrival and body-camera footage of his arrest. The video showed a flatbed pickup pulling up to the curb and a man identified as Cagle walking into the terminal. He approached the TSA security checkpoint and appeared to show “high interest in that area,” Schierbaum said.
Body-camera footage showed Atlanta police officers approaching Cagle inside the airport after identifying him from a photo his family had provided. The officers questioned him briefly before moving in to arrest him. As they took him to the ground and handcuffed him, Cagle could be heard yelling.
Schierbaum said Atlanta police will work with federal authorities to determine how Cagle obtained the firearm, “which he was not able to legally possess.”
Mayor Andre Dickens credited Cagle’s relatives and law enforcement for preventing a potential tragedy. “We’re thankful to God and to good information, and good intel, and good people for this crisis being averted,” he said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also praised the swift response, writing on X, “I am thankful this individual was taken into custody by law enforcement before harming anyone.”
Updates: 10/20/25, 7:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
