ATLANTA (AP) — Police arrested a man at Atlanta’s bustling airport on Monday after receiving a tip from his family that he was planning to shoot up the place. Officials found an assault rifle and ammunition in his truck parked outside, according to the city's police chief.
Billy Joe Cagle, 49, from Cartersville, Georgia, had described his intent to commit violence against travelers in a livestream on social media. Chief Darin Schierbaum stated during a news conference that Cagle was a convicted felon.
“The Cartersville Police Department was alerted by Mr. Cagle’s family that he was headed to the airport with an assault rifle,” Schierbaum emphasized, labeling the family's action as critical in averting a potential tragedy.
Cagle arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in a Chevrolet pickup truck, which was found to contain the weapon and 27 rounds of ammunition.
During the media briefing, Chief Schierbaum remarked, “We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy because a family saw something and said something.”
Cartersville police Capt. Greg Sparacio reiterated that Cagle appeared to have intentions of harming as many people as possible.
Evidence, including surveillance and body-camera footage, showed Cagle arriving at the airport and his subsequent arrest as police approached him after identifying him from a family-supplied photo.
After being taken into custody, Cagle was charged with making terroristic threats, criminal attempted aggravated assault, and illegal possession of firearms due to his felon status. The investigation into how he obtained the firearm is ongoing, with federal authorities involved in the case.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed gratitude for the swift actions taken that day, stating, “We’re thankful to God and to good information, and good intel, and good people for this crisis being averted.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of law enforcement intervention before anyone was harmed.
