We all know what it’s like after a hard day’s work. It’s late, you’re tired, and all you want to do is go home and relax. The last thing you want to have to deal with when you’re closing up shop for the night is an armed robber trying to nab the cash you just worked all day to earn. Luckily, a personal firearm is all you need to protect yourself and your property.
Police are investigating a shooting that took place Wednesday in East Austin, Texas. According to local reports, an arcade manager, who’s name has not been released, was locking up at around 1:00 a.m. when a man tried to break in.
Sr. Officer Dennis Farris explained, Byron Ray Maxwell, 36, was armed with a knife and tried to force his way into the establishment. He added, “The manager saw the guy, tried to close the door the suspect grabbed the door and tried to pull it open.”
Maxwell succeeded in forcing the door open, so the manager grabbed his gun and fired an unknown number of times at Maxwell. Following the shooting the manager immediately phoned police, they arrived and the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services pronounced Maxwell dead about half an hour later, around 1:30 a.m.
Reports said Maxwell has had a history of criminal activity, with a conviction of a misdemeanor assault strangulation charge in 2010 and he was also arrested for failing to appear at a child support hearing.
So far, authorities said, the store manager has been very cooperative with the police, but the police are still trying to determine whether or not they want to press charges. Farris added that the investigation is ongoing and they are currently interviewing witnesses.
He added, “Once [it] is over we’ll determine what if any charges will be filed.”
The actual arcade has been under police scrutiny. According to local reports, it was the site of a police bust on June 16 where people were arrested for illegal gambling and possession of a controlled substance.
It’s good that the cops are being thorough, however, based on the available evidence it’s hard to imagine how this shooting would justify charges. A guy with a knife forces his way into a business – sounds like a pretty cut-and-dry case of self-defense.
Considering the history of the area, we really can’t blame the manager for taking matters into his own hands. Back in 2003, a man named Abraham Macedo, a music store owner, died in that exact shopping center. He was murdered during a robbery by three men around closing time.