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A man from Cartersville has been federally charged after allegedly issuing threats to carry out a shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest air travel hub in the world. The suspect, identified as Billy Joe Cagle, is facing several significant charges, which include attempted violence at an international airport and unlawful firearm possession by a convicted felon. Law enforcement swiftly intervened after receiving a report from a concerned individual who had been on a FaceTime call with Cagle. During this call, Cagle is claimed to have stated, "I'm at the airport, and I'm gonna go rat-a-tat-tat," as per the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. The quick actions of Cartersville and Atlanta Police Departments, supported by citizen vigilance, were crucial to prevent what could potentially have been a catastrophic incident. The charges laid out by U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg underlie the severity of the situation. "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," he said in a statement obtained by the Justice Department's website. The FBI, along with local law enforcement, played critical roles in the events that unfolded. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown highlighted the effectiveness of communal awareness in the situation. "This is a perfect example of 'See Something, Say Something' in action," he explained as per the U.S. Attorney's Office. When family members of Cagle noticed out-of-place behavior, they did not hesitate to alert the authorities. This chain of communication between citizens and law enforcement managed to effectively stop what could have been a violent tragedy. Following his arrest at the airport terminal, just outside of which Cagle's truck was found containing an AR-15-style firearm and ammunition, the 49-year-old now faces a legal battle that underscores his presumption of innocence until proven guilty. As the case moves forward, the government will bear the burden to substantiate the charges. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting the ongoing investigation, obtaining assistance from multiple police departments and the Clayton County District Attorney's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Jones, and any further information regarding the matter is directed to be requested through the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Attorney.
