Concern, but no charges in arcade death

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A game room manager who shot and killed a robbery suspec t will not be charged for now, according to Austin Police Department, but an investigation into the Manor business could result.

“I will get with the (trafficking unit) and let them know about it and see if they want to pursue it,” said police Sgt. Brian Miller about the game room business.

Byron Maxwell was shot and killed early Wednesday when police say he tried to rob the game room with a knife. The investigation is still taking place but the preliminary ruling is the shots were fired in self-defense.

“We anticipate reviewing this case with the district attorney’s office to see if they would pursue any charges,” said Miller.

But questions about the game room business operation still remain. In the same shopping center, Austin police raided an illegal game room in June.

Game rooms are legal, but cash payouts are not legal. It is unclear whether the two game rooms are connected, but neighbors indicated that similar businesses have caused problems for years.

“It does seem like it attracts people who are an easy mark,” said Becky Willard, who lives nearby. Willard said the parking lots outside the game room businesses are usually filled with cars and suspicious activity.  

“There are some really sweet businesses here,” she said. “I’m sure people have heard good things but don’t want to come.”

Miller says game rooms historically are popular targets for robbery due to the amounts of cash inside the business.

“That was a big factor in game rooms being robbed," he said. "The money aspect."