When a Cartersville man allegedly having a mental health crisis threatened to “shoot up” the Atlanta airport Monday morning, his family quickly called police.
Authorities in Bartow County then contacted Atlanta police about the livestreamed social media threat. The quick actions may have saved countless lives, according to investigators.
“This is what a proper response by citizens and by law enforcement should look like,” Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at an afternoon news conference.
Billy Cagle, 49, made it to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with a semi-automatic weapon, Schierbaum said. But by then, Atlanta officers were waiting for him.
Security video showed Cagle parking his truck just outside the South terminal around 9:29 a.m. and walking inside, and APD was notified at 9:40 a.m., investigators said.
Cagle was taken into custody at 9:54 a.m. before there was any violence.
“We did have a tragedy averted today,” Schierbaum said.
Cagle has a felony conviction and is known to the Cartersville Police Department for other incidents, police said. He served from August until November 2000 for a drug conviction out of Bartow, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Investigators said Cagle was having a mental health crisis when he drove from Bartow to the airport with an AR-15 in his backseat. Cagle’s weapon, along with 27 rounds of ammunition, was found in his flatbed truck, according to police. A dog was also in the vehicle, police said.
“Twenty-seven or more lives could have been lost today because an individual came into Hartsfield-Jackson after being reported coming out of Cartersville with mental challenges,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.
Hartsfield-Jackson handles an average of nearly 300,000 passengers a day, earning it the title of the world’s busiest airport.
Cagle was not injured in the incident. He was charged with terrorist threats, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
City leaders praised the man’s family for their diligence in reporting the threat, as well as officers with both police departments.
“This is exactly why we’re here today, to encourage citizens to do their part if they ever become aware,” Schierbaum said. “And again acknowledge the family and our partners at the Cartersville Police Department for their work.”
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