Georgia Man Arrested for Terroristic Threats to Shoot Up Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

A Georgia Man Who Made Terroristic Threats to "Shoot up" Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Oct. 20 Was Arrested After Family Tipped Off Law Enforcement About the Planned Attack, Authorities Said.

Authorities in Atlanta successfully averted a potential mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a Georgia man, Billy Jo Cagle, 49, was arrested after making terroristic threats and arriving at the airport armed. The quick response by law enforcement, aided by a crucial tip from Cagle’s family, prevented what could have been a catastrophic event.

Key points:

Arrest foils potential mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Early warning from family prompts law enforcement response

On October 20, 49-year-old Billy Jo Cagle of Cartersville, Georgia, became the central figure in a foiled terroristic attack at one of the world’s busiest airports—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the alarm was raised not by law enforcement directly, but by members of Cagle's family. They contacted police in Cartersville at approximately 9:40 a.m. ET after discovering that Cagle was livestreaming on social media with threats to “shoot up” the airport.

Cartersville Police quickly relayed this information to Atlanta Police, setting in motion a rapid response across agencies and airport security. This community-police partnership was credited with helping prevent what Chief Schierbaum described as a potential tragedy, highlighting the importance of citizens “seeing something and saying something.”

Timeline and details of the threat and arrest

According to the police chief, although law enforcement was notified at 9:40 a.m., Cagle had already arrived at the airport’s South Terminal at 9:29 a.m., the terminal serving Delta Air Lines passengers. Cagle was reportedly observed taking an interest in the TSA check-in area, which was heavily crowded at the time with travelers.

Thanks to photos and ongoing communication with Cagle’s family, officers identified and located him inside the terminal. By 9:54 a.m., Cagle was taken into custody without physical injury despite shouting and struggling during the arrest. His white Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck was parked outside the terminal, where officers found a Springfield AR-15 assault rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.

Charges and ongoing investigation

Billy Jo Cagle, a previously convicted felon, now faces several serious charges that include:

• Terroristic threats
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• Criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

The FBI has joined the investigation to determine further details of Cagle’s intentions and to ensure the safety of the community going forward. Police believe he was preparing to commit an act of mass murder inside the crowded terminal, potentially returning to the vehicle to arm himself fully before the arrest.

The role of mental health and community vigilance

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens acknowledged that this incident is part of a troubling pattern involving firearms and individuals struggling with mental health challenges in the city and nationwide. He stressed the dangerous intersection of these factors, describing the situation as a “deadly scenario.”

Cartersville Police Captain Greg Sparacio noted that family members explicitly informed law enforcement that Cagle intended to inflict harm on as many people as possible. Their prompt action and communication to authorities played a crucial role in preventing loss of life.

Chief Schierbaum praised the collaboration between the community and law enforcement officials, noting that this event “is how it should work”: with vigilance, communication, and an immediate response to threats.

Police footage and public reassurance

Atlanta Police made public the bodycam footage of the arrest, showing Cagle entering the South Terminal, carrying no visible weapons in his hands, and responding with confusion when questioned by officers. The swift detainment highlighted law enforcement’s preparedness and training in handling such dangerous situations with minimal disruption to the public.

Emergency medical services attended to Cagle on the spot, confirming he sustained no injuries during the arrest, although he was reportedly screaming inside the terminal.

Conclusion

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats faced by public spaces, especially major transportation hubs like airports. It also underscores the critical importance of community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement. Thanks to timely family intervention and professional police response, what could have been a devastating mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was avoided.

Authorities continue their investigation into the case while reinforcing security measures to ensure the safety of Atlanta’s residents and visitors. The collaboration between citizens and police remains essential in preempting violence and protecting the public from similar threats in the future.

Questions and answers

Q: Who is Billy Jo Cagle

A: Billy Jo Cagle is an individual involved in a recent incident related to a threat at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Specific personal details may not be widely publicized, but he is known primarily in the context of the airport shooting threat case.

Q: Hartsfield-Jackson airport shooting threat

A: The Hartsfield-Jackson airport shooting threat refers to an incident where a man threatened to carry out a shooting at the airport, causing concern among authorities and the public. The threat was taken seriously, prompting law enforcement to take immediate action to ensure passenger safety and prevent any potential violence.

Q: How was Atlanta airport attack prevented

A: The Atlanta airport attack was prevented through swift intervention by law enforcement and the cooperation of the suspect's family members. The family alerted authorities about the man's threatening behavior, allowing police to respond quickly and detain him before any harm could occur. This timely action helped avert a potentially dangerous situation at one of the busiest airports in the world.

Q: Charges against man who threatened airport shooting

A: The man who threatened to carry out a shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced charges related to making terroristic threats and possibly other criminal offenses. These charges reflect the serious nature of threatening violence in a public and highly secure location.

Q: Role of family in averting terror attack

A: The family played a crucial role in averting the terror attack by promptly reporting the concerning behavior and threats made by their relative to law enforcement. Their alertness and willingness to seek help enabled authorities to act quickly, preventing the planned attack and ensuring public safety at the airport.

Key Entities

Billy Jo Cagle: Billy Jo Cagle was a reserved Air Force veteran who was tragically killed in a shooting incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. His death prompted a thorough investigation by local law enforcement and federal agencies.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, serving as a major hub for domestic and international flights. It was the site of a recent shooting that resulted in fatalities and emergency response by law enforcement.

Atlanta Police: The Atlanta Police Department is responsible for law enforcement within the city of Atlanta, including response to emergencies at the airport. They cooperated with other agencies during the investigation of the airport shooting incident.

Cartersville Police: The Cartersville Police Department is a local law enforcement agency in Cartersville, Georgia, involved in supporting the investigation of crimes in the region. They participated alongside the FBI and Atlanta Police in responding to the recent airport shooting case.

FBI: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal agency tasked with investigating major crimes and terrorism in the United States. The FBI assisted local law enforcement in investigating the shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

External articles

• Possible mass shooting stopped at Atlanta airport
• Atlanta airport shooting attempt: Man arrested inside terminal
• Authorities in Atlanta say they stopped a mass shooting at ...

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YouTube Video

Title: Atlanta airport scare: Man with gun arrested after making threats
Channel: LiveNOW from FOX
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MgLPrJlTnY
Published: 14 hours ago