Suspect and 3 Victims Identified in Deadly Target Shooting in Austin, Texas – Details

A quiet Monday afternoon in north Austin turned deadly on August 11, 2025, when 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker opened fire outside a Target store, killing employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, and 65-year-old Adam Chow along with his 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid Fung. Chow’s wife was injured but survived.

Police say Nieneker, who claimed to be “Jesus” after his arrest, began by shooting Machuca in the parking lot, then attacked the Chows in their SUV before fleeing in their vehicle. Over the next 50 minutes, he crashed cars, assaulted drivers, and attempted multiple carjackings across the city.

The rampage ended when officers found Nieneker naked in a residential area and used a Taser to arrest him. He now faces two counts of capital murder and one count of felony murder.

Nieneker’s criminal history spans more than a decade, including domestic violence convictions. Police called the shooting an unprovoked attack on innocent lives. The community is mourning the victims, remembered as a devoted grandfather, a joyful child, and a kind-hearted young worker.

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