Three killed in Austin Target shooting

Police identified three victims and the suspect after a Target shooting in North Austin; the suspect faces capital murder charges.

Three killed in Austin Target shooting including a 4-year-old granddaughter

Three people were killed in a Monday afternoon shooting at a Target store in North Austin. Victims were Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, a Target employee; Adam Chow, 65; and Chow's 4-year-old granddaughter. Police say the gunman randomly shot Machuca in the parking lot, then fired into Chow’s SUV, killing him and the child. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter, Ethan Nieneker, 32, was arrested less than an hour later after a series of car thefts and other disturbances linked by surveillance videos. The Target store remained closed on Tuesday as investigators pieced together the sequence of events.

Nieneker pushed Chow’s wife out of the vehicle, stole the car, and later tried to hijack other vehicles before crashing and being taken into custody after a naked confrontation with officers. He faces capital murder charges and additional counts. Police noted Nieneker had a history of mental health issues and had previously been placed on emergency holds. The weapon used was a handgun recovered in the stolen vehicle; origins of the gun remain under investigation. The city’s leaders called for calm as more details emerge about motive and possible links to prior incidents.

This tragedy shows how quickly a routine day can turn violent in a public space. It highlights the tension between personal safety and the access people have to firearms, even in suburban areas. The police response appears rapid and coordinated, with multiple leads followed via surveillance and air support, which can influence public perception of local safety. The case also raises questions about mental health resources and how communities support people at risk, since authorities noted the suspect’s prior crisis history. As the investigation unfolds, officials will face pressure to address concerns about prevention, policing, and gun access in a high-visibility incident.

Highlights

A community seeks answers and steady leadership to prevent another tragedy.