A man planning to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was arrested Monday inside the terminal, according to local police.
Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was detained near the entrance to the world’s busiest airport, cops said at a press conference Monday afternoon. An assault-style rifle was later located in his pickup truck parked outside, along with 27 bullets.
“I do believe he was likely to use that weapon inside the crowded terminal,” Atlanta Police Chief Daniel Schierbaum said. “We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy because a family saw something and said something.”
Cagle’s family notified police in his hometown of Cartersville around 9:30 a.m. Monday that he’d told them he was planning to drive to the Atlanta airport, about 90 minutes away, and shoot it up, according to investigators.
Cartersville police then alerted authorities in Atlanta to the threat at 9:40 a.m., providing a description of Cagle and the vehicle he was driving. Cops at the terminal spotted Cagle at 9:54 a.m. and quickly arrested him inside.
“I know he took some medication, and when he don’t take it, he starts hallucinating and stuff,” Cagle’s brother, Scott Nelson, told Atlanta CBS affiliate WUPA. “He’s never hurt anybody. I’m shocked that he went to the airport.”
Cagle has since been charged with making terrorist threats, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Cagle’s previous felony conviction was for marijuana possession with intent to distribute back in 1999, according to Atlanta Fox affiliate WAGA.
