Billy Joe Cagle, a resident of Cartersville, Georgia, has been charged in federal court with attempted violence at an international airport, making interstate threats to injure another person, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident on October 20, 2025, when Cagle allegedly threatened during a FaceTime call to “shoot up the airport,” referring to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
According to authorities, while driving and on the call, Cagle reportedly said, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” before ending the conversation. The individual on the other end of the call reported the threat to the Cartersville Police Department. Law enforcement then contacted Atlanta Police and provided images and a description of Cagle’s vehicle.
Police located Cagle inside the airport terminal soon after. His Chevrolet truck was found parked outside the terminal entrance blocking a crosswalk. Officers discovered an AR-15-style firearm and 27 rounds of ammunition inside his vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “As alleged in this complaint, Cagle senselessly threatened to do heinous violence to innocent travelers, at the world’s busiest airport, with a high-powered weapon that he had no legal right to possess. Thanks to the vigilance of other citizens and the quick action of law enforcement, a horrible tragedy was averted.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown commented: “This is a perfect example of ‘See Something, Say Something’ in action. When Billy Joe Cagle’s family noticed something wasn’t right, they alerted authorities. Their quick thinking—combined with the swift, heroic response of our law enforcement partners—undoubtedly saved lives.”
Cagle faces charges under Title 18 U.S.C., including Section 37(a) for attempted violence at an international airport; Section 875(c) for interstate communications containing threats; and Section 922(g)(1) for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from local police departments and prosecutors.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
For more information about this case or related matters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
