‘Tragedy averted’: Man with semi-automatic weapon arrested at Atlanta airport, police say

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Atlanta Police Department said a tragedy was prevented Monday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a man’s family made an urgent call.

APD said they detained the driver of the truck, a man from Cartersville, who came to the airport with a semi-automatic weapon.

Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes reported on Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 that police believe the suspect left his gun in the truck initially just so he could plan his attack.

The suspect’s family admitted, he’s got some mental challenges, but when they saw him making threats on social media, they called police because they knew he was serious.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the incident “could’ve been tragic. ...Twenty-seven or more lives could’ve been lost.”

Billy Joe Cagle was arrested at the airport, officials said. It required two sets of handcuffs to cuff him due to his size.

The Cartersville Police Department alerted the Atlanta Police Department Monday morning after Cagle’s family told them he “wanted to shoot up” the airport and was on his way, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

By the time airport police found out, investigators say the suspect had already parked his white truck on the curb and was inside.

Video shows the suspect looking at a busy TSA checkpoint. Police say his rifle was still in the truck outside.

Cagle was previously a felon, officials said.

Police showed video of Cagle as he was walking in the airport and of the arrest. The Springfield AR semi-automatic weapon was found in the truck, as well as 27 rounds of ammunition.

Schierbaum said police received the call at 9:40 a.m., and they had Cagle in custody by 9:54 a.m.

Cagle faces terroristic threats and firearms charges. Schierbaum said the investigation is still ongoing.

Police praised the family for stepping forward and preventing a tragedy.

Fernandes asked Schierbaum how would officers handle if the suspect walked in with his rifle.

“So should that scenario ever arise as it has elsewhere in the city, we’re gonna be ready for it through training and proper equipment and capability. We just pray that we’re never called upon to do that,” he said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent out a statement about the arrest: “Today at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, an individual with an AR-15 was arrested after threatening to “shoot up” the airport. DHS is in communication with our interagency partners and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. I am thankful this individual was taken into custody by law enforcement before harming anyone.”

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