What began as a regular Monday afternoon at a Target in north Austin turned into a deadly rampage on August 11, when a gunman opened fire in the store’s parking lot, killing three people and injuring another before tearing through the city in a violent spree.
Police ultimately arrested the suspect—who claimed to be a religious figure—after a series of erratic confrontations with motorists and pedestrians.
Authorities identified the shooter as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker. His victims were Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, a Target employee; Adam Chow, 65; and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid Fung. Chow’s wife, Doris, was also wounded but is expected to survive, according to ABC News.
Investigators say the violence began around 2:15 p.m. outside the Target on Research Boulevard, where Nieneker shot Machuca as he gathered carts. He then fired at the driver of a black Jeep Cherokee before moving to a Toyota 4Runner occupied by Adam and Doris Chow and their granddaughter. Nieneker fatally shot Adam and Astrid. Doris managed to pull the child from the car, but Nieneker pushed her aside and stole the 4Runner. Adam and Astrid were pronounced dead at the scene.
What followed was a chaotic trail of collisions, assaults, and attempted carjackings across Austin. Around 2:20 p.m., Nieneker allegedly forced a construction worker out of a water truck on Mopac Expressway, then abandoned that vehicle and returned to the stolen SUV. Shortly after, he crashed into a Volkswagen and an Infiniti, attacked the Volkswagen’s driver, and took her car.
Witness Chris Ferran told KGNS News that he saw the SUV slam into multiple vehicles. “I chased him and called 911,” Ferran recounted. “When he pulled a worker from a truck while holding a weapon, I dropped the phone and backed up to get my daughters to safety.”
The chaos continued as Nieneker tried to break into homes and damaged property. At about 2:37 p.m., he is accused of throwing a brick through the window of someone he knew from a Bible study group. Police eventually apprehended him at 3:06 p.m. on Montclaire Street, where he was found naked in a neighborhood street and was subdued with a Taser after refusing commands.
Police Chief Lisa Davis described the attacks as intentional and senseless acts of violence carried out “against innocent people in broad daylight.”
Nieneker, who lived alone and worked in a restaurant, has an extensive criminal record that includes domestic violence, assault, drug offenses, and driving-related charges dating back more than ten years. Some cases were dismissed; others resulted in brief jail terms.
According to Sgt. Nathan Sexton, Nieneker provided no coherent explanation for the rampage, saying only that he was Jesus. Sexton said the victims were chosen entirely at random.
Grieving relatives of the victims have begun speaking out. The Chow family remembered Adam as the “steady backbone” of their lives and described Astrid as “pure silliness and joy,” writing, “We are shattered and miss them beyond words.” Machuca’s coworkers and community members also mourned his loss, recalling his kindness and dedication.