Federal authorities have charged a convicted felon via criminal complaint with attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats to injure the person of another, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to federal authorities, on Oct. 20, 2025, Billy Joe Cagle, 49, of Cartersville, Georgia, was on a FaceTime call where he allegedly threatened to “shoot up the airport.” The airport he referenced was Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
On the call while he was driving, Cagle allegedly stated, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” after which he abruptly ended the call. The person he was talking to drove to the Cartersville Police Department to report the threat.
Officers then contacted the Atlanta Police Department to alert them. They passed along images of Cagle, along with a description of the vehicle he was alleged to be driving.
After a brief search, officers located Cagle in the airport terminal and arrested him.
Just outside the terminal doors, officers located his Chevrolet truck parked blocking a crosswalk in front of the terminal entrance. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered an AR-15-style firearm and 27 rounds of ammunition.
Cagle has been charged with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 37(a) attempted violence at an international airport, 875(c) interstate communications containing threats to injure the person of another, and 922(g)(1) possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony offense.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with valuable assistance provided by the Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments, and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.
