Man with semi-automatic weapon arrested at Atlanta airport

ATLANTA (CNN, KYMA) - Authorities in Georgia arrested a man at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Monday, and they say it was just in the nick of time.

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) says the man made threats on social media before driving to the airport with a semi-automatic weapon and 27 rounds of ammunition.

When APD initially encountered the suspect at the Atlanta airport Monday morning, they weren't sure if he was the gunman they were looking for.

Body cam video shows officers taking down 49-year-old Billy Joe Cagle after they confirmed he's the one who was on social media threatening to shoot up the airport.

"27 or more lives could've been lost," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

As soon as the suspect's family heard the threats on social media, they called Cartersville Police. They said Cagle has mental issues and needs to be stopped.

By the time officers at the airport found out, the suspect was already walking around inside.

Video captured showed the suspect staring at a busy TSA checkpoint. Police believe he was planning his attack while his rifle and dog were in the truck left on the curb.

"What you didn't see in the video was close by officers armed with rifles themselves if you travel through the airport you'll see them in the atrium that's why they're there," said Chief Darin Schierbaum with APD. "If it were not for Officer Gibson and Officer Banks, and not for Sgt. Jones who was providing them, I do believe Mr. Cagle was heading back to his truck to retrieve it, and I do believe he was likely to use that weapons in the crowded terminal you've seen."

APD say they had Cagle in custody less than 15 minutes after learning about the threats. He's now facing terrorist threats and firearms charges.