Heroic Family Intervention Stops Potential Tragedy at Atlanta Airport: Georgia Man Apprehended

An alarming incident unfolded at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Monday morning when a Georgia man was taken into custody following threats made on social media. According to law enforcement, the suspect, 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, had been livestreaming his intentions to “shoot up” the airport.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed the arrest of Cagle inside the airport terminal, although he was unarmed at the time of his apprehension. However, authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle in his pickup truck, which was parked outside the airport, as reported by WANF.

The chain of events began when Cagle’s family members alerted Cartersville police around 9:40 a.m. This information was swiftly relayed to the Atlanta police, who managed to locate Cagle within minutes of receiving the tip-off.

According to WAGA, Cagle entered the airport premises at 9:31 a.m., and his arrest was executed by 9:54 a.m., showcasing a rapid response by the police, occurring in under 15 minutes from the initial notification of the threat.

Chief Schierbaum explained that investigators suspect Cagle initially entered the airport to survey the area, with plans to retrieve his firearm from the truck and potentially target the crowded terminal. “He was likely to use that weapon in the crowded terminal he had just seen,” Schierbaum stated, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.

Cagle was charged with terroristic threats, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.