2022-03-14 Austin

Murder of Gerald Monroe Chisolm – Cowboy Motel Homicide

Gerald Monroe Chisolm, 57, was shot and killed on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at the Cowboy Motel on East Amarillo Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas. Ronald Allen Austin, 64, was arrested at the scene and later indicted, convicted, and sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder.^[1]

Incident

Just before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2022, Amarillo police officers were dispatched to the Cowboy Motel on East Amarillo Boulevard on an aggravated assault call.

When they arrived, they found a male victim with gunshot wounds who later died at the scene from his injuries.

Homicide detectives interviewed witnesses and the suspect at the scene. As a result of these interviews, Ronald Allen Austin was booked into the Potter County Jail for Murder.

Background

According to the 47th District Attorney's Office, Austin and Chisolm were both residents of the Cowboy Motel and had spent the entire day barbecuing with other motel residents. At one point, they began arguing and went "to their rooms to cool down," prosecutors said.^[2]

Austin was in his room when Chisolm came to the front door, which was open, according to the district attorney. For unknown reasons, Austin retrieved a gun from his desk and shot him, prosecutors said.

As Chisolm began to run away, Austin followed him, shooting him five more times in the back, for a total of six shots. Chisolm was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation and Arrest

"The defendant agreed to speak to (Amarillo Police Department) homicide detectives that same day, and basically told them that he had been angry at the victim," the district attorney's office said. "Despite admitting that the victim had not threatened him and did not have a weapon, the defendant told APD he decided to shoot him."

Austin told a different story in court, prosecutors said, claiming that Chisolm threatened him and "had been known to carry a weapon." But investigators did not find Chisolm to be armed, prosecutors said. No weapon associated with Chisolm was found at the scene, and witnesses at trial testified that they had not heard him make any threats.

Next of kin for the victim were notified following the incident.

Indictment

According to the indictment, the Potter County Grand Jury indicted 64-year-old Ronald Allen Austin for a murder charge. The indictment read that Austin allegedly "intentionally or knowing (caused) the death of an individual, namely, Gerald Monroe Chisolm, by shooting him with a firearm."^[3]

Trial and Conviction

When this case went to trial in October 2024, Austin claimed Chisolm threatened him and was known to carry a weapon.

The jury found Austin guilty of murder after a short deliberation.^[4]

Sentencing

Austin was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.

"While Texans certainly have the right to defend themselves, no one has the right to use violence unnecessarily," 47th District Attorney Jason Herring said. "When people like this defendant try to play the self-defense card, it undermines righteous claims of self-defense for those who truly need it. We are grateful for the jury's quick and decisive verdict which recognized the difference between self-defense and murder."

Case Timeline

• March 13, 2022 (Sunday): Shooting occurs at Cowboy Motel; Chisolm found dead; Austin arrested
• Date of Indictment: Potter County Grand Jury indicts Austin for murder
• October 2024: Trial held; Austin found guilty of murder
• October 8, 2024: Austin sentenced to 40 years in prison