Police Stop Alleged Mass Shooter at Atlanta Airport Minutes Before Attack

A Georgia man was arrested Monday morning after authorities say he planned to “shoot up” Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was found with a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition just outside the terminal.

What We Know:

• Police arrested 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle of Cartersville, Georgia, inside the terminal after his family alerted authorities that he was livestreaming plans to open fire at the airport.

• Officers discovered an AR-15-style rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition in his parked truck outside the terminal, according to police reports.

• Cagle had entered the airport briefly before being confronted by law enforcement, who acted on the family’s tip within minutes.

• Authorities say the rapid response likely prevented a mass-casualty shooting at one of the world’s busiest airports.

• Cagle, a convicted felon, was prohibited from owning firearms; investigators are now tracing how he obtained the weapon.

• Atlanta Police and the FBI are working jointly to determine if Cagle acted alone or had communicated threats to others online.

Authorities say swift action from Cagle’s family and law enforcement likely stopped a major tragedy before it unfolded.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated here.