MASS SHOOTING STOPPED COLD: AR-15 FELON'S FAMILY TIP HALTS BLOODBATH

In a chilling close call, Atlanta police arrested a mentally challenged convicted felon at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday after he explicitly threatened to carry out a mass shooting.

The suspect, identified as Billy Joe Cagle, was taken into custody around 1 p.m. ET in the airport's parking area.

Investigators say he made the threats during a live FaceTime call with family members, declaring in full: "I'm going to shoot up the airport."

Officers responded immediately, locating the suspect's vehicle and discovering a loaded AR-15 semi-automatic rifle inside, illegal for him to possess as a felon.

WATCH:

No shots were fired, and no injuries reported.

The airport's operations continued uninterrupted, though TSA heightened security checkpoints amid unrelated staffing shortages causing 45-minute waits.

At a 3 p.m. ET press conference, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum detailed the bust.

"This individual called his family on FaceTime and told them, verbatim, 'I'm going to shoot up the airport.' We got the tip, swarmed the scene, and seized the AR-15 from his car," Schierbaum said. "He's a convicted felon, mentally challenged, and now in custody on federal weapons charges. Swift action by our officers and dispatch saved lives today."

WATCH:

A department source added, "The threats were crystal clear—he was en route, gun in tow. Family alerted us mid-call; we had him in cuffs within minutes."

The FBI has joined the probe, classifying it as domestic terrorism.

The suspect faces up to 10 years for felon-in-possession, plus state charges for terroristic threats.

Law enforcement officials confirmed during the presser the suspect had no accomplices and the airport threat level downgraded to green by 3:45 p.m. ET.

This was the nightmare scenario averted by a family's desperate call and cops who moved like lightning.