The previously convicted felon who allegedly planned to commit a mass shooting at an airport in Atlanta on Monday now faces three federal charges.
Billy Cagle is being charged with attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats to injure the person of another, and possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday.
The charges stem from Cagle’s alleged plan to shoot travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Police arrested Cagle in the terminal.
An AR-15 rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition were found in his truck parked outside the terminal.
The suspect said he wanted to “shoot up the airport” on a FaceTime call while he was driving, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. He allegedly said, “I’m at the airport, and I’m gonna go rat-a-tat-tat,” before hanging up.
The person on the other end of the phone call, who was said to be a family member, immediately reported the threat to the police.
“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,” U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement. “Thanks to the vigilance of other citizens and the quick action of law enforcement, a horrible tragedy was averted.”
“This is a perfect example of ‘See Something, Say Something’ in action,” FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown added. “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’s family and friends said he was suffering from a mental health crisis before his arrest, with his brother telling a local news outlet that Cagle “wasn’t in his right mind” when he arrived at the airport Monday morning. However, the brother didn’t believe Cagle was going to hurt anyone, which was why he left the gun and ammo in his truck.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed Cagle’s mental illness appeared to contribute to the incident.
MAN ARRESTED AT ATLANTA AIRPORT AFTER FAMILY TOLD POLICE HE WANTED TO ‘SHOOT IT UP’
On top of the federal charges, Cagle faces multiple state charges of 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.
The defendant is due to appear in court on Wednesday for the state charges.
