Latest news with #EthanBlaineNieneker
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
'Terminator' Target shooter tries to hijack truck 'after executing petrified girl, 4, whose grandpa he'd just killed'
A crazed gunman tried to hijack a water truck minutes after gunning down a four-year-old girl and her grandpa outside a Target store Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, was photographed by a passing motorist dramatically stealing the truck at a construction site in north Austin on Monday. Leaning out of the cab, he balanced precariously on the step with one hand holding onto the door while the other clutched a handgun pointed at a worker. Nieneker was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and fluorescent blue and yellow-patterned shorts in the photo as he tried to make a getaway on the Mopac Expressway. Minutes earlier he allegedly shot dead Adam Chow, 65, and his granddaughter Astrid, 4, along with Target worker Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24. Adam was shot first as he sat in the driver's seat, as Astrid watched. Nieneker is then accused of turning his weapon towards Astrid, shooting the little girl at point blank range as she sat in the back seat of her grandpa's car. The shooter did not know either of his victims, investigators say. After shoving Chow's wife Doris, 66, out of the family's grey Toyota 4-Runner, he took off away from the store before trying to switch cars to the water truck. Stricken Doris pulled Astrid from the car in a bid to find help that could save her, but the youngster succumbed to her injuries shortly after. He allegedly attacked the driver and tried pulling him out of the truck, but wasn't able to, instead chasing the truck driver away with his pistol before returning to the Toyota. Chow's family said Astrid was deeply loved by her family, teachers, classmates, friends, and 'all who had the privilege of knowing her'. 'Sweet Astrid brought joy, laughter, and light to everyone she touched,' they said. 'Adam Chow, was a loving husband to Doris, beloved father to Monica and Sophia, and a doting grandfather. He dedicated his life to loving God and loving others.' Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis alleged at a press conference that Nieneker first 'randomly' shot Machuca about 2.15pm as he collected trolleys. Austin homicide detective Nathan Sexton said Nieneker chose his victims 'completely randomly' and used a handgun given to him by a family member. 'He said that he was Jesus and there was no real reason whatsoever given,' he said. After his aborted attempt to steal the truck, he crashed into a Volkswagen about 2.25pm, then allegedly attacked and carjacked the Volkswagen driver. Nieneker only drove that car until 2.34pm when he tried to steal a self-driving Waymo car, but failed and got back in the Volkswagen. Minutes later, a church acquaintance of Nieneker claimed a brick came flying through the window of his house on La Casa Drive after the gunman threw it. Nieneker's alleged rampage continued until 2.58pm when he was spotted walking naked through a backyard down the street from the one he bricked. He was seen running into a 'porta potty', then running away again before police found him, still nude and holding a Bible, and demanded he surrender. When he refused, police fired their tasers and he was arrested at 3.06pm. 'The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour,' police said. Chow was pronounced dead at the scene at 2.39pm and his granddaughter at 2.50pm. Doris only suffered minor injuries. Nieneker was charged with two counts of capital murder for Chow and his granddaughter first-degree felony murder of Machuca. His booking photo at the Travis County Jail showed him staring straight at the camera with several fresh cuts on his face. Sexton said Nieneker gave no motive for the shooting and his state of mind at the time was still being investigated. 'We're still looking into the drug portion of it. He could have been under the influence of narcotics, it might not necessarily be all attributed to mental illness, so we're still investigating all of that,' he said. Davis admitted there were failures by authorities to follow up on mental health callouts, which may have prevented the shooting. 'This man had some serious issues, and I think about the systems that failed... there were some serious failures here,' she said. Nieneker had two emergency mental health detentions of up to 72 hours in 2018, but was not committed either time. How Nieneker got the gun, which he left in Chow's car, from a relative is being investigated, and could lead to charges against his family. 'Where does someone with this capacity to do this get a weapon and when does a family members feel comfortable giving someone with these issues a weapon?' Davis said. Nieneker lived alone and worked at a nearby restaurant, police said. Davis said police received calls about the shooting 15 minutes after it began and rushed to the scene within four minutes. Social media photos of Nieneker showed him grinning with friends at social events, posing while wearing a Covid-style mask by a trash bin, and posing beside a fireplace. Another Facebook image showed the alleged gunman holding a large brown leaf in front of his face and creepily peering over it, and a fifth photo had Nieneker wearing an American flag as a bandana. Davis told reporters on Monday evening that Nieneker has a history of mental illness and a prior criminal history on charges including drugs and assault.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Target shooting suspect Ethan Nieneker's chilling claim after ‘killing 3 at random' as he drips blood in new mugshot
THE man accused of shooting three people dead, including a child, outside of a Target made a disturbing comment about Jesus after the sick crimes. Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, grimaced in a bloody mugshot after he allegedly opened fire on a group of people in the parking lot of the Austin, Texas, supermarket on Monday. 7 7 Police said that Nieneker randomly shot 24-year-old Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca before rushing over to Adam Chow, 65, and his 4-year-old granddaughter and killing them as he stole their car. The Austin Police Department revealed the victims' identities one day after the crime, and opened up on the suspect's deranged ravings and senseless motive. Speaking to reporters about Nieneker, homicide detective Nathan Sexton said, "He said that he was Jesus and there was no real reason whatsoever given. "It was a completely random choosing of the victims." Cops arrived at the scene at 2:23 pm and found the worker suffering from gunshot wounds, the Austin Police Department said. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but couldn't be saved. Chow and the little girl were declared dead at the scene, and Chow's wife had minor injuries. Police say that Nieneker opened fire on Machuca in the parking lot at around 2:15 pm, and then fired shots at a Jeep as it tried to evade his gunfire. The suspect then allegedly ran up to a Toyota 4-Runner and shot Chow, who was sitting in the front seat, before firing at the little girl in the backseat. Chow's wife grabbed her granddaughter before they were shoved out by Neineker, who stole the car and zoomed away, cops said. Austin Target shooting 'leaves at least three injured with suspect in custody' Around five minutes after the shooting started, the suspect stopped beside a water truck that was parked on the side of a road and allegedly beat the driver and pulled him from the front seat. Cops said that Nieneker tried to put the car in drive, but couldn't, so he went back to the 4-Runner and drove away. He allegedly wrecked that car about five minutes later and then ran to a nearby Volkswagen dealership, where he carjacked another woman and left in her vehicle. Less than ten minutes after this, Nieneker tried to get into a Waymo self-driving car, but that didn't work, so he got back on the road. 7 7 A few minutes later, a friend who knew the suspect told cops that Neineker threw a brick through his residence. The suspect continually zoomed through the center of the city with cops on his trail before someone reported seeing a naked man in their backyard. Officials raced to the area and found Nieneker naked on the street. When he didn't follow their directions, they tased him and put him in cuffs. Cops later found his clothes in a nearby porta-potty. Nieneker was booked on Tuesday and looked battered and bruised in a mugshot taken by the local police department. Austin Police Department's full statement on shooting "On Monday, August 11, 2025, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to calls of multiple shootings at the Target parking lot at 8601 Research Boulevard northbound. Officers arrived to find a male, later identified as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, in the parking lot. Mr. Martinez Machuca was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased at 3:01 p.m. Officers also located a family including Adam Chow, his wife, and their 4-year-old granddaughter. Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter were pronounced deceased on scene. Mr. Chow's wife sustained minor injuries. Homicides Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed Ethan Nieneker randomly attacked a Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca in the parking lot, shooting and killing him as he was collecting shopping carts. Nieneker then ran to a black Jeep Cherokee and began firing as the Jeep attempted to evade the gunfire. Nieneker then ran up to a gray Toyota 4-Runner where he shot Mr. Chow as he sat in the driver seat. He then fired into the backseat, striking the 4-year-old granddaughter. Mr. Chow's wife carried their granddaughter from the vehicle and Nieneker pushed her from the vehicle. Nieneker then drove the Toyota from the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Mr. Chow and the 4-year-old granddaughter were pronounced deceased on scene at 2:39 and 2:50 p.m. At approximately 2:20 p.m. Nieneker found a water truck parked alongside the 7800 block of Mopac Expressway. He opened the driver's door and repeatedly assaulted the driver before pushing him out of the vehicle. He attempted to put the truck into drive but was unable to. He then jumped out of the truck and chased a male with a pistol in his hand before running back to the stolen 4-Runner and drove off. At approximately 2:25 p.m., APD received the call of a multiple-vehicle crash as the stolen 4-Runner crashed into a Volkswagen before landing on top of an Infiniti SUV. Nieneker exited the vehicle and went over to the Volkswagen, opened the door and repeatedly assaulted the female driver of the Volkswagen. He pushed the female driver of the Volkswagen out and then drove off. At 2:34 p.m., a suspect matching Nieneker's description exited the stolen Volkswagen and went up to a Waymo vehicle and attempted to break into it. This failed and Nieneker returned to the stolen Volkswagen and drove away. At 2:37 p.m., an acquaintance known to Nieneker through bible study reported that Nieneker had thrown a brick through his residence in the 2100 block of La Casa Drive. At 2:58 p.m., APD received the call of a naked male walking through a backyard in the 2400 block of La Casa Drive. Nieneker was observed running into a 'porta potty' and then leaving on foot. Officers located Nieneker walking naked on Montclaire Street. Nieneker was issued commands, did not comply, was tased and taken into custody at 3:06 p.m. Officers checked the area, and the matching suspect clothing previously captured surveillance was located inside of the "porta potty". The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour. Nieneker has been charged with two counts of Capital Murder for the 4-year-old granddaughter and for Adam Chow. He has also been charged for the First-Degree Felony Murder of Mr. Martinez Machuca. Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have photos, videos, or potential evidence, please submit them by clicking here or scanning the QR code below. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting or calling (512) 472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. This case is being investigated as Austin's 39th, 40th and 41st homicide of 2025." DISTURBING HISTORY Davis said that they knew Nieneker and revealed he had a history of mental health issues. The suspect has an extensive criminal history starting in 2012 when he was arrested and convicted for misdemeanor marijuana possession, ABC affiliate KVUE reported. In 2015, he was arrested for misdemeanor DWI, felony criminal mischief, and assaulting a family member. The following year, Nieneker was arrested and convicted of a felony charge for assaulting his girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and probation for that charge. Also in 2016, he was accused of criminal mischief, but the charge was later dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested and convicted of a felony charge for violating a bond or protective order. In 2017, Nieneker pleaded guilty to a DWI charge and spent 30 days in jail. 7 7 He was accused of attacking his roommate in 2019, but the case was later dismissed. In a Facebook account that appears to belong to Nieneker, the suspect wrote about getting a job as a bartender in 2020. That same year, he penned several posts complaining about people sharing their political opinions. After Tuesday's shooting, Davis said, "This is a very sad day for Austin. It's a very sad day for us all." "Our thoughts are with the families," she added. "This is a tragic time, our thoughts are with the officers, and EMS, and fire that had to come and do the work here at the scene, forensics, everyone that's doing the scene." Nieneker has been charged with two counts of capital murder for allegedly killing the little girl and Chow. He was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Machuca, meaning the killing was deliberate and planned, according to cops.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Target shooter 'coldly executed girl, 4, in back seat of car after making her watch as he murdered her grandpa'
A crazed gunman ran into naked into a portaloo after allegedly shooting dead a Target worker, a grandfather, and his young granddaughter. Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, was subdued by police tasers during his mad dash after his alleged rampage through the store in northern Austin. Target worker Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, was killed along with Adam Chow, 65, and his four-year-old granddaughter. Austin police alleged Nieneker made the little girl watch him murder Chow and wound his wife before he callously executed her. The department released his booking photograph on Tuesday, showing him staring straight at the camera with several fresh cuts on his face. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a press conference on Monday that he stole two cars after the shooting, and wrecked the first one while fleeing from cops. Nieneker was described as white and wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the time of the shooting. Police said they received calls about the shooting 15 minutes later and rushed to the scene within four minutes. They found three people bleeding out with gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Medics pronounced two of the victims dead at the scene, while a third died from their injuries while being rushed to hospital. The gunman fled the scene in a vehicle he stole from the parking lot at the Target store, which police said they believe belonged to one of the victims. Davis said he 'wrecked' the car and leapt into another vehicle from a Volkswagen dealership nearby, and continued leading police on a chase. Cops pursued the shooter for 18 miles through the heart of Austin. They caught him in the south of the city where they deployed a taser before taking him into custody. The Daily Mail has also unearthed photographs of Nieneker from social media, showing him grinning with friends at social events, posing while wearing a Covid-style mask by a trash bin, and posing beside a fireplace. Another Facebook image shows the alleged gunman holding a large brown leaf in front of his face and creepily peering over it, while a fifth photo shows Nieneker wearing an American flag as a bandana. Police Chief Davis told reporters on Monday evening that Nieneker has a history of mental illness and a prior criminal history. Records obtained by the Daily Mail show he has been arrested numerous times since 2011, including an apprehension in August 2015 for assaulting a family member. Nieneker was also previously arrested for driving while intoxicated twice, criminal mischief and a violation of a bond or protective order. A suspected motive for the shootings and the names and ages of the victims have not yet been disclosed. Shoppers and employees at Target said they ran for cover when they heard gunshots ring out in the parking lot. 'I was inside the store, but then I hear on the radio like shots fired, so then they just told us "active shooter..." so we just ran outside, we told guests to get out,' Target employee Freyen Sagastume told KXAN. 'I thought that this only happened like in the news and stuff and then like I kind of just froze at first, but then I saw everyone running.' Meanwhile, at the nearby Jiffy Lube, employees hunkered down and locked the store's doors when they became aware there was a shooting outside. One mechanic, Paul Smith, told Spectrum Local News he saw people running from their cars in the parking lot in a panic. 'I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before,' he said. A spokesperson for Target also said it will be providing counseling to staff members who experienced the shooting. 'We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy,' the spokesperson said. 'We are working with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene. 'In the days ahead, we will continue partnering with law enforcement and will be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to our team.'
International Business Times
7 days ago
- International Business Times
PICTURED: Texas Target Shooting Suspect Ethan Nieneker Who Killed Three Is Seen Bloodied and Bruised in His Mugshot
The suspect accused of fatally shooting two adults and a child in a Texas Target parking lot was identified on Tuesday, as police released his bruised and bloodied mugshot. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is accused of shooting dead three people in Austin on Monday afternoon, before making a dramatic escape involving two stolen vehicles. Nieneker fled the scene in a car he took from the Target parking lot on Research Boulevard, but soon crashed it, police said. He then allegedly stole another car from a nearby Volkswagen dealership. However, officers were soon to catch up with him in South Austin, where they used a Taser to subdue him before arresting him. Career Criminal on Shooting Spree Ethan Blaine Nieneker X Police Chief Lisa Davis said that Nieneker has a past marked by both mental health issues and criminal activity. However, documents reviewed by the Daily Mail suggest that he has been arrested several times since 2011, including one in August 2015 for assaulting a family member. His record also includes two arrests for driving under the influence, charges of criminal mischief, and breaching a bond or protective order. The motive behind Nieneker's decision to start shooting outside the store shortly after 2 p.m. is still unclear. Medics pronounced two of the victims dead at the scene, while a third died from their wounds on the way to a nearby hospital. Another person sustained injuries unrelated to the gunfire and received treatment at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the victims' names, while Target customers and staff recounted how they were forced to flee for safety. "I was inside the store, but then I hear on the radio like shots fired, so then they just told us 'active shooter...' so we just ran outside, we told guests to get out," Freyen Sagastume, an employee told KXAN, the Daily mail reported. "I thought that this only happened like in the news and stuff and then like I kind of just froze at first, but then I saw everyone running." Chaos and Panic Everywhere The Target store in Texas where Ethan Blaine Nieneker opened fire killing three people X Meanwhile, at a nearby Jiffy Lube, staff secured the store by locking the doors and taking cover after learning about the shooting outside. One mechanic Paul Smith told Spectrum Local News that he witnessed people frantically abandoning their cars and running through the parking lot in fear. "I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before," he recounted. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has been briefed on the incident and is receiving ongoing updates on the situation. "This is a devastating situation and my heart is with the victims and their families," he wrote on X. "While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I'll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence," the mayor continued, adding that he is "grateful for the quick response of our APD officers and other first responders and want to thank them for their actions to apprehend the suspect." A Target representative also said that the company will provide counseling services to employees affected by the shooting. "We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy," the spokesperson said. "We are working with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene. In the days ahead, we will continue partnering with law enforcement and will be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to our team."
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Target shooting suspect seen in mugshot
Published: | Updated: The man accused of opening fire outside of a Target in Texas, killing three people, has been pictured for the first time in his mugshot looking bloodied and bruised. Austin Police told the Daily Mail on Monday night Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, has been taken into custody in connection with the deadly shooting on Monday afternoon. The department released his booking photograph on Tuesday, showing him staring straight at the camera with several fresh cuts on his face. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a press conference on Monday that he stole two cars after the shooting, and wrecked the first one while fleeing from cops. Nieneker was described as white and wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the time of the shooting. He is accused of opening fire at shoppers at the Target store on Research Boulevard in northern Austin, Texas, shortly after 2pm. Police said they received calls about the shooting 15 minutes later and rushed to the scene within four minutes. They found three people bleeding out with gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Medics pronounced two of the victims dead at the scene, while a third died from their injuries while being rushed to hospital. The gunman fled the scene in a vehicle he stole from the parking lot at the Target store, which police said they believe belonged to one of the victims. Davis said he 'wrecked' the car and leapt into another vehicle from a Volkswagen dealership nearby, and continued leading police on a chase. Cops pursued the shooter for 18 miles through the heart of Austin. They caught him in the south of the city where they deployed a taser before taking him into custody. Police Chief Davis told reporters on Monday evening that Nieneker has a history of mental illness and a prior criminal history. Records obtained by the Daily Mail show he has been arrested numerous times since 2011, including an apprehension in August 2015 for assaulting a family member. Nieneker was also previously arrested for driving while intoxicated twice, criminal mischief and a violation of a bond or protective order. A suspected motive for the shootings and the names and ages of the victims have not yet been disclosed. Shoppers and employees at Target said they ran for cover when they heard gunshots ring out in the parking lot. 'I was inside the store, but then I hear on the radio like shots fired, so then they just told us "active shooter..." so we just ran outside, we told guests to get out,' Target employee Freyen Sagastume told KXAN. 'I thought that this only happened like in the news and stuff and then like I kind of just froze at first, but then I saw everyone running.' Meanwhile, at the nearby Jiffy Lube, employees hunkered down and locked the store's doors when they became aware there was a shooting outside. One mechanic, Paul Smith, told Spectrum Local News he saw people running from their cars in the parking lot in a panic. 'I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before,' he said. A spokesperson for Target also said it will be providing counseling to staff members who experienced the shooting. 'We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy,' the spokesperson said.
