On Monday, October 20, 2025, a potential tragedy was averted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest air travel hub, thanks to a timely tip from a concerned family and swift police action. The suspect, 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle of Cartersville, Georgia, was arrested inside the airport after authorities learned of his plan to "shoot up" the terminal—an intention he had reportedly shared in a social media livestream just hours before.
The sequence of events began when Cagle’s family noticed his alarming livestream, in which he described his intention to attack the Atlanta airport. According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the family immediately contacted the Cartersville Police Department, explaining that Cagle was on his way to the airport and in possession of an assault rifle. "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 Atlanta airport, in their words, to ‘shoot it up,’ and the family stated that he was in possession of an assault rifle," Schierbaum said at a press conference, as reported by the Associated Press.
Acting swiftly, Cartersville police relayed the threat to Atlanta authorities at around 9:40 a.m. Surveillance footage later released by police shows Cagle arriving at the airport in a Chevrolet flatbed pickup truck at approximately 9:30 a.m. He parked curbside, just outside the terminal doors, and entered the building a few minutes later. According to Schierbaum, Cagle showed "high interest" in the area surrounding the TSA security checkpoint, raising further alarm among law enforcement monitoring the situation.
Inside the airport, Atlanta police officers—armed with a photo of Cagle provided by his family—located and approached the suspect. Body-camera video from the arrest shows officers questioning Cagle before taking him to the ground and placing him in handcuffs. As he was restrained, Cagle could be heard yelling, but he was not armed at the time of his arrest. Officers then searched his pickup truck parked outside the terminal, where they discovered an AR-15 assault rifle loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition.
The quick intervention by law enforcement prevented what could have been a devastating attack. Cartersville Police Captain Greg Sparacio later stated that Cagle "had the intention to inflict harm on as many people as he could." Police believe Cagle’s initial entry into the airport was to "scope it out," with plans to return to his vehicle for the weapon and carry out his threat in the crowded terminal. "We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy because a family saw something and said something," Schierbaum emphasized during the press conference, highlighting the crucial role of the family’s vigilance.
Cagle was charged with making 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. He was booked into the Clayton County Detention Facility on Monday evening, as confirmed by online jail records. Authorities are also investigating how Cagle, a convicted felon, was able to obtain the AR-15 rifle, which he was not legally permitted to possess. "Atlanta police will work with federal authorities to determine how he obtained the gun, which he was not able to legally possess," Schierbaum told reporters, according to The Economic Times.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his relief and gratitude in the aftermath. "We’re thankful to God and to good information, and good intel, and good people for this crisis being averted," Dickens said, as quoted by multiple outlets. He later added, "27 or more lives could have been lost today," underscoring the scale of the potential tragedy that was narrowly avoided.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also acknowledged the successful intervention, posting on social media, "I am thankful this individual was taken into custody by law enforcement before harming anyone." Her remarks were echoed by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who revealed on social media that her own family members were at the airport during the incident. "Thank God the police caught the would be mass shooter before he committed mass murder at the Atlanta airport!! I can’t thank the police enough for acting swiftly to save everyone! Also my daughter and son in law were at the Atlanta airport today," she wrote.
As investigators continue to piece together the details of Cagle’s plan, questions remain about his motives and mental health. Friends of Cagle, including Nick Roberts, have described him as someone struggling with serious mental health challenges. Roberts reported that Cagle had posted on Facebook the day before the incident, stating he was schizophrenic and taking medication. "I want folks to know that he wasn’t some monster," Roberts told the Associated Press. "This was a very big surprise for a lot of us that went to high school with him and know him in the community." Atlanta Mayor Dickens also noted in his public remarks that it is believed Cagle was experiencing a mental episode at the time of the incident.
The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of gun access and mental health resources, especially as authorities try to determine how a convicted felon was able to acquire a high-powered rifle. The investigation, now involving federal partners, will seek to answer these pressing questions. At the same time, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance—of "see something, say something"—in preventing mass violence.
Attempts to reach Cagle’s family and co-workers for comment have so far been unsuccessful, and it is not immediately clear whether he has legal representation. Police have stated their intention to continue working with federal agencies to fully understand the circumstances leading up to the incident and to ensure accountability for the attempted attack.
For now, Atlanta’s airport remains open and operational, with city officials, law enforcement, and the traveling public breathing a collective sigh of relief. The events of October 20, 2025, will likely be remembered as a day when tragedy was narrowly averted—not by luck, but by the vigilance of a family unwilling to ignore warning signs and the rapid response of law enforcement determined to keep the city safe.
