Introduction to the Incident
AUSTIN — The accused Texas man who opened fire in a Target parking lot, randomly killing two adults and a child, had a history of arrests for domestic violence and assault and was being held Tuesday on capital murder charges. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of murder over Monday’s shooting in Austin. Court records show a series of past arrests for domestic violence and assault.
Background of the Shooter
Ethan Nieneker had been arrested several times in recent years in both Travis County, which includes Austin, and neighboring Williamson County. His arrests in Travis County included misdemeanors for criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated, and three arrests on felony domestic violence charges. He was convicted of a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence in 2016 and briefly sentenced to jail. Williamson County records show repeated run-ins with law enforcement, including two cases of misdemeanor family violence in 2015 that were later dismissed.
The Shooting Incident
The police chief said that although Nieneker had a history of mental health issues, she was unaware of any specific diagnosis. Sgt. Nathan Sexton said the firearm Nieneker used in the attacks was acquired through family. After shooting the Target employee, Nieneker shot the grandfather as he sat in the driver’s seat of his sport utility vehicle, then fatally shot the little girl in the back seat before stealing the vehicle and driving away fast, police said. “It was a completely random choosing of the victims,” Sexton said.
Victims of the Shooting
Police said the Target employee, identified as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, was taken to a hospital where he died. Adam Chow, 65, and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the scene while Chow’s wife sustained minor injuries. The name of the child was not released. The shooting occurred in broad daylight, in a place where people should feel safe to run their everyday errands and to live their everyday lives, according to Police Chief Lisa Davis.
Aftermath of the Shooting
Over the next hour, Nieneker tried to steal a water truck at a construction site, caused multiple vehicle crashes, wrecked Chow’s vehicle and then stole a Volkswagen he’d crashed into, police said. He also tried to break into a Waymo self-driving vehicle, threw a brick through the home of an acquaintance and walked naked through a backyard. Officers found Nieneker walking naked on a street after he ditched his clothes in a portable toilet, police said. He was holding a Bible and was subdued with a Taser when he would not comply with demands. “He said that he was Jesus,” Sexton said.
Response to the Incident
Police received multiple 911 calls as the suspect made his way across the city. Chris Ferran said he was driving on a highway when he saw an SUV fly past him, then smash into two vehicles and keep going. “I’m not letting anybody get away with this, so I chased him down and called 911,” he said. Ferran watched as the driver pulled into a construction site, got out of the SUV and ripped a worker out of a water truck. Ferran said the SUV’s driver, who was clad in what looked like swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt, was in the truck for a while. So Ferran started shooting a video. But when the man got out of the water truck, Ferran realized he had a gun. “As soon as I saw that, I threw the phone down and I reversed and I was trying to get us out of there,” said Ferran, who had his two daughters with him.
Connection to Other Incidents
The Target shooting comes just over two weeks after an attack at a Walmart store in Michigan. A man accused of stabbing 11 people at the Traverse City store on July 26 has been charged with terrorism and multiple counts of attempted murder. This incident highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance in public spaces.
Conclusion
The shooting incident at the Target parking lot in Austin, Texas, was a senseless and tragic event that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. The shooter, Ethan Nieneker, had a history of arrests for domestic violence and assault, and his actions on that day were a culmination of his violent tendencies. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support to individuals who may be struggling with violent impulses.
FAQs
Q: Who was the shooter in the Target parking lot incident?
A: The shooter was Ethan Nieneker, a 32-year-old Texas man with a history of arrests for domestic violence and assault.
Q: How many people were killed in the shooting?
A: Two adults, Adam Chow, 65, and Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, and a child, Chow’s granddaughter, were killed in the shooting.
Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: The motive behind the shooting is not clear, but it is believed to be a random and senseless act of violence.
Q: How did the police respond to the incident?
A: The police received multiple 911 calls and responded quickly to the scene, subduing the shooter with a Taser after he refused to comply with demands.
Q: What charges is the shooter facing?
A: The shooter, Ethan Nieneker, is facing two counts of capital murder and one count of murder.
