Billy Joe Cagle faces federal charges after an alleged threat to “shoot up the airport” during a FaceTime call at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on October 20, 2025. Authorities say the call recipient alerted local police, a coordinated response located and arrested Cagle in the terminal, and officers recovered an AR-15-style rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in his parked truck. The complaint charges attempted violence at an international airport, interstate threats, and possession of a firearm by a felon, and prosecutors say the case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI with local law enforcement support.
Billy Joe Cagle, a convicted felon, has been charged 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. Officials say the incident began while Cagle was driving and on a FaceTime call where he allegedly threatened violence at one of the country’s busiest travel hubs. The complaint places the date of the call on October 20, 2025, and gives a direct quote attributed to Cagle during the exchange: “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” after which the call ended abruptly.
According to prosecutors, the person on the other end of that call drove straight to the Cartersville Police Department to report the threat, demonstrating decisive action that officials credit with preventing a worse outcome. Officers relayed images and vehicle information to the Atlanta Police Department, which enabled a rapid search of the terminal. After a brief search, officers say they located and arrested Cagle inside the airport.
Officers found Cagle’s Chevrolet truck parked just outside the terminal, blocking a crosswalk in front of the entrance, and recovered an AR-15-style firearm along with 27 rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle. The presence of the weapon and ammunition, together with the alleged threat, are central elements of the federal complaint. Prosecutors have charged Cagle under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 37(a) for attempted violence at an international airport, 875(c) for interstate communications containing threats to injure, and 922(g)(1) for possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg is quoted in the complaint materials as saying, “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,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Thanks to the vigilance of other citizens and the quick action of law enforcement, a horrible tragedy was averted.” That statement underscores the combined role of private citizens and multiple law enforcement agencies in the resolution.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown also commented on the case, stating, “This is a perfect example of ‘See Something, Say Something’ in action.” That praise reflects the bureau’s view that public reporting and interagency coordination were decisive. The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments and the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office.
The defendant, identified as Billy Joe Cagle, 49, of Cartersville, Ga., is presumed innocent and will face the government at trial, where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Jones is handling the prosecution according to court filings. The complaint and charging decisions reflect how federal statutes apply when threats cross state lines or involve international transportation facilities.
Law enforcement sources say the rapid chain of reporting—from the person who received the call, to local police, to Atlanta officials—helped locate Cagle before any violence could occur. That sequence highlights the practical value of timely reporting and information sharing between agencies. Officers who responded located the suspect and the vehicle within a short window after the initial report.
Beyond the charges themselves, the case illustrates ongoing concerns about convicted felons and access to high-powered firearms. Federal prosecutors emphasized the felon-in-possession charge as part of the broader complaint, citing Cagle’s prior conviction history as a legal bar to possessing firearms. The charges carry potential federal penalties that will be decided in court if the case proceeds to trial or plea resolution.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
