Crime
Billy Joe Cagle faces charges after threatening to shoot up Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
ATLANTA, GA — Authorities have identified the suspect in a foiled shooting plot at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle, a convicted felon from Cartersville, Georgia.
Officials say a potential mass shooting was prevented through the swift actions of law enforcement and the quick response of Cagle’s family.
According to investigators, Cagle live-streamed threats early Friday morning, stating his intent to “shoot up” the Atlanta airport—the busiest in the world.
His family, alarmed by the video, immediately contacted Cartersville police, who then notified the Atlanta Police Department (APD).
Within minutes, officers located and arrested Cagle inside the South Terminal, before any harm could occur.
~9:30 a.m. ET: Cagle arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport unarmed, reportedly to “scope out” the area after making violent threats on social media.
~9:40 a.m. ET: Cagle’s family saw his livestream and, fearing he was serious, contacted local authorities.
~9:42 a.m. ET: Atlanta police officers, acting on the tip from Cartersville PD, located and detained Cagle without incident inside the airport terminal.
A search of Cagle’s Chevrolet pickup truck, parked outside the airport, uncovered a Springfield AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition. Police say Cagle, a convicted felon, was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated that Cagle had intended to return to his truck, retrieve the rifle, and re-enter the terminal to open fire.
“He came in to scope it out. He was going to go back out to his truck and get the gun and come back in and do what he said he was going to do,” Chief Schierbaum said.
Mayor Andre Dickens praised the rapid coordination between agencies and the family’s intervention, saying,
“This could have been tragic but was averted. A crisis was averted today — 27 or more lives could have been lost.”
Cagle has been charged with:
- Terroristic threats
- Criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Officials say Cagle may have been suffering from a mental health episode at the time of the incident.
Authorities emphasized that the quick thinking of Cagle’s family and the rapid communication between Cartersville Police and the APD were instrumental in preventing what could have been a devastating mass casualty event.
“This was a close call,” Mayor Dickens said. “Thanks to the decisive actions of law enforcement — and a family who did the right thing — countless lives were saved.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities assisting to determine whether additional charges will be filed.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.