Authorities said Atlanta police recovered an assault rifle from Billy Jo Cagle's pickup truck near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

A Georgia man who made terroristic threats to "shoot up" Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Oct. 20 was arrested after family tipped off law enforcement about the planned attack, authorities said.

"A tragedy was indeed averted," Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference. "We are here today briefing you on a success, and not a tragedy, because a family saw something and said something... That is how it should work."

The suspect, identified as Billy Jo Cagle, 49, of Cartersville, Georgia, was charged with terroristic threats, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

'Likely to use that weapon inside the crowded terminal'

Schierbaum said family members called police in Cartersville about 9:40 a.m. ET and informed them that Cagle was streaming on social media and headed to the airport to "shoot it up." Cartersville police then alerted authorities in Atlanta to the situation.

While family members told authorities that Cagle had an assault rifle and was experiencing mental challenges, Schierbaum said Atlanta police didn’t know that he had already arrived at the airport’s domestic south terminal at 9:29 a.m. ET

According to Schierbaum, Cagle "seemed to be very interested in the TSA check-in area, which was very crowded with travelers."

Equipped with photographs and information from a police sergeant who was in touch with Cagle’s family members, officers were able to quickly locate Cagle and take him into custody about 9:54 a.m. ET, Schierbaum said. Police later found Cagle’s Chevy flatbed pickup outside the terminal and located an AR-15 assault rifle in the back seat with 27 rounds of ammunition.

"We do believe he was likely to use that weapon inside the crowded terminal," Schierbaum said

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted that several instances involving armed and individuals with mental challenges have shaken the Atlanta area over the past year.

“What you’re seeing is, what we’re experiencing across the nation and in this city, is where guns and mental health challenges together can pose a deadly scenario,” he said.

Cartersville Police Capt. Greg Sparacio said family members told police that Cagle “had the intention to inflict harm on as many people as he could.”

The incident remains under investigation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man who planned to 'shoot up' Atlanta airport arrested after family tip, authorities say

Reporting by Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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