The three people who died outside Target on Austin, Texas on August 11, were identified, including a four-year-old and a store employee.
3 I died shooting outside of Austin’s target.
Three are dead and the suspect is in custody after a shooting at a target in North Austin.
Fox-7 Austin
The man suspected of fatally shooting three people, including a child, in a target parking lot in Austin, Texas, told police he was yes and acquired a firearm through his family despite a history of mental health issues, authorities said.
Police said they identified the shooter as 32-year-old Ethan Nienker and launched the attack by fatally shooting and killing target employee Leopold Martinez Machuca on August 11 when they collected shopping carts. Chou’s wife survived with minor injuries.
“What happened yesterday was an unprovoked, intentional offensive, intentional violence,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said on August 12.
USA Today works to contact lawyers or family members who can speak on behalf of Nieneker.
A chaotic timeline after a fatal target fire
After being murdered at 2:15pm on CT, police say Nieneker stole Chow’s car, spent a chaotic holiday, attacked multiple people, and stole the car along the way. Here is the timeline released by the authorities:
- 2:20pm: Driving a 4 runner, police said they came across a water truck Nieneker parked in, opened the driver’s door, attacked the driver and kicked him out of the car to drive. Unable to understand how to operate the truck, authorities said he chased the pistol in his hand before driving back to the 4 runner.
- 2:25pm: Police say Nineker crashed a 4-runner on a Volkswagen and landed on top of the SUV. He then jumped out of the 4 runner, attacked the Volkswagen driver, pushed him out of the car and drove.
- 2:34pm: Police say Nieneker ran to the Waymo vehicle and tried to break into the Volkswagen before returning to drive away.
- 2:37pm: Police say Nienekar threw a brick out of the window of someone’s house he knew through Bible study.
- 2:58pm: Austin police receive a call from a South Austin resident and report seeing a man stumble into Porta’s toilet and leave him naked.
- 3:06pm: Police find Nienkar naked and holding the Bible. They said he had not followed their orders, so they arrested him using a Taser Stun gun. They found clothing in the Porta toilet that matched the outfit of the target shooting suspect, including a Hawaiian shirt.
What we know about accusations, motives, and Ethan Nienker
Davis said Nienekar was working at a local restaurant and living alone. He is charged with two counts of capital murder and first-degree felony murder. Police said they would face more charges related to subsequent assault and carjacking.
Regarding motives, police sergeant. “There’s no real reason,” Nathan Sexton said.
“He said he was yes,” Sexton said. “It was to select the victims completely randomly.”
Sexton said the handgun used in the attack was “acquired through the family” and the department is investigating possible accusations against the family.
Davis said Nineker’s history with Austin police includes assault that causes physical injuries to a family member, driving under the influence, violation of a protective order, possession of marijuana and two mental health reports.
“This guy has some serious problems and I’m thinking about a system that has in some ways failed as we move forward,” she said. “We’re looking at this background, and this will be something that will be coming up in the months and years to come. There have been some serious mistakes here.”
“The pain caused will be felt by our community for years to come.”
Davis refused to detail exactly who failed Nieneker and how to do so, saying he didn’t know if he had been officially diagnosed.
“What kind of help do they get when you’re dealing with people with these issues?” Davis asked. “Where do people with this ability get weapons? And when do families feel comfortable giving weapons to people with these issues?”
She called the incident “a heartbreaking and deeply painful time for our city.”
“The suspect’s actions showed a complete disregard for human life,” she added. “The pain caused will be felt by our community for years to come.”
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter at USA Today. Contact her at amanda.myers@usatoday.com and follow her at X at @AmandaleUSAT
