Hartsfield-Jackson ‘tragedy averted’ as man caught in ATL with rifle in truck

The Atlanta Police Department said a that a “tragedy” has been “averted” at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) after a man with an assault rifle in his truck was arrested inside the South Terminal.

On October 20, 2025, the family of the 49-year-old suspect contacted the Cartersville Police Department after the arrested man allegedly said he was going to Atlanta Airport to “shoot it up”.

“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 airport, in their words, to ‘shoot it up,’ and the family stated that he was in possession of an assault rifle. What we didn’t know is that he had already arrived at the airport,” said Chief Darin Schierbaum of the Atlanta Police Department.

The suspect, named by police as Billy Jo Cagle, was located by officers at 09:40 after a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the suspect’s description and vehicle was issued.

According to police, the suspect arrived at ATL at 09:29 and left his vehicle at 09:31. Cartersville Police notified Atlanta Police of the threat at 09:40 and Cagle was taken into custody at 09:54.

FBI Atlanta is assisting the @Atlanta_Police and partner agencies following the arrest of a suspect who made violent threats targeting @ATLairport earlier today. The suspect was not armed when he was arrested but police found an assault rifle in his vehicle parked outside. The… pic.twitter.com/RSrMzvXJq8— FBI Atlanta (@FBIAtlanta) October 20, 2025 The police shared a video recording of the moment the suspect was found and subsequently handcuffed and arrested.

A Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck believed to belong to the suspect was found outside the airport terminal with a Springfield AR15 assault rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition inside.

“Inside the vehicle, officers observed a rifle. Atlanta Police K-9 units conducted a sweep of the truck and recovered the rifle from the backseat. The rifle was cleared, and the scene was rendered safe,” said a statement provided by the Atlanta Police Department.

Chief Schierbaum said security camera footage from the airport “seemed” to show that the suspect was “very interested in the TSA check-in area, which was heavily crowded with travelers”.

The police confirmed that the FBI is assisting the investigation in determining how the suspect obtained the firearm that he could not legally possess.

“We are here today briefing you on a success rather than a tragedy because a family saw something and said something. A family knew they had a family member in a crisis, they knew they had access to firearms and they were on social media,” added Schierbaum.

The suspect was charged with Terroristic Threats, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Criminal Attempt to Commit Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

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