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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.