Man with gun arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport after making threats

Man arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with gun in truck

Billy Joe Cagle was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after police said he threatened to “shoot up” the terminal. Officers said they found an AR-15 weapon in his truck after detaining him. Police said Cagle’s family reported the threats, allowing officers to locate and arrest him within 15 minutes of being alerted.

ATLANTA – A man is facing multiple charges after police said he threatened to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was arrested there with a gun in his truck.

What we know:

According to police, Billy Joe Cagle was taken into custody Monday morning after his family called Cartersville police to report that he was driving to Atlanta and threatening to harm as many people as possible.

Cartersville police alerted the Atlanta Police Department about the threats around 9:40 a.m. and shared Cagle’s photo. Atlanta officers were told he was likely headed to the airport.

Police said Cagle entered the terminal through door S1 at 9:31 a.m. and had been inside for about 20 minutes before officers spotted him. Officers arrested him at 9:54 a.m., less than 15 minutes after being notified of the threats.

Cagle did not have any weapons on him at the time of his arrest, but police said they found an AR-15 rifle in his truck, loaded with one bullet in the chamber and 26 rounds in the magazine.

What they’re saying:

Officials praised Cagle’s family for contacting law enforcement, saying their actions likely prevented a tragedy. Police said this is a case where the family saw something and said something. 

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum thanked Officers Gibson and Banks, who arrested Cagle, and Sgt. Jones, who helped coordinate information as it came in.

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Full update: Police arrest man for threatening to shoot up Atlanta airport

A man faces multiple charges after police said he made threats to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was arrested there with a gun in his truck. Police said Billy Joe Cagle was arrested Monday morning after his family called police to report he was driving to Atlanta and threatening to harm as many people as he could.

What’s next:

Cagle faces charges of 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.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Cagle was convicted of possession of marijuana more than two decades ago.

Dig deeper:

The arrest came the same day as the Transportation Security Agency said wait times at the security checkpoints were longer due to staffing shortages, the first time this has happened since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1.