VIDEO: Billy Joe Cagle: Cartersville MAGA Supporter Arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport with AR-15 and 27 Rounds — Planned Mass Shooting Foiled

An Atlanta-area man, Billy Joe Cagle, 49, from Cartersville, was arrested Monday at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after allegedly FaceTiming relatives saying he intended to go on a mass shooting spree and “hurt as many people as possible.”

According to authorities, Cagle’s relatives alerted Cartersville Police around 9:40 a.m., prompting a swift response from Atlanta police, who found his pickup truck blocking traffic outside the airport terminal. Inside, officers discovered an AR-15 rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition, according to FOX5 Atlanta.

Police say Cagle had entered the terminal unarmed, apparently to “scope out” the area before returning to his vehicle to retrieve the weapon. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated that officers believe Cagle was “likely to use that weapon in the crowded terminal he had just seen.”

Within 15 minutes of the alert, police located and arrested Cagle before any attack occurred.

Billy Joe Cagle: Cartersville MAGA Supporter Arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport with AR-15 and 27 Rounds

Officials say the suspect appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Cartersville police confirmed Cagle’s criminal history, including a prior marijuana possession conviction over two decades ago.

Social media activity tied to Cagle’s Facebook profile revealed pro-Trump posts, including one from 2015 reading, “I worked for everything I have. Most successful people have done the same. No you aren’t entitled to it.”

Other posts point to mental instability, including one where he admitted taking medication for schizophrenia and expressed paranoid fears about being “set up” or “killed.”

In another post dated September 6, Cagle wrote:

“Going from dead to happiness is a very long and hard mental battle. I’m thankful for all the family and friends that have been here for me. Thank God for my second life. It’s finally time to put that behind me and forget about it. I’m ready to move forward in this life.”

Following his arrest, Billy Joe Cagle was charged with:

• Making terroristic threats

• Criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault

• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony

• Possession of a firearm by a felon

Authorities have not commented on whether Cagle’s political leanings or mental health issues influenced his actions.

The arrest coincided with TSA’s announcement of longer wait times at security checkpoints due to staffing shortages amid the ongoing federal government shutdown that began on October 1.