Latest news with #HectorMartinezMachuca
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Austin man charged with capital murder in deadly Target parking lot shooting spree Monday
A man faces capital murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing three people, including a 4-year-old girl, during a carjacking at a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday. The Austin Police Department said 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder. Police identified the victims who were killed as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow and Chow's 4-year-old granddaughter. According to police, officers responded to calls of multiple shootings at the Target parking lot near Research Boulevard at about 2:15 p.m., and when they arrived, they found Machuca in the parking lot. 3 Shot In Times Square, 17-Year-old Suspect Detained After Late-night Dispute Machuca was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Read On The Fox News App Officers also found a family, including Chow, his granddaughter and his wife. Chow and his granddaughter were both pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation found that Nieneker allegedly attacked Target employee Machuca, who was collecting shopping carts when he was randomly shot. Police said Nieneker then ran and began shooting at a Jeep Cherokee that attempted to evade gunfire. He then ran up to a Toyota 4Runner and allegedly shot Chow, who was in the driver's seat. Shooting At Nevada Casino Resort Leaves Multiple People Injured; Suspect In Custody After shooting Chow, Nieneker allegedly fired into the backseat and struck the 4-year-old girl. As Chow's wife carried their granddaughter from the SUV, the suspect allegedly pushed her from the vehicle before speeding out of the parking lot in the 4Runner. Shortly after fleeing the parking lot, police said, Nieneker attempted to steal a water truck. But after an unsuccessful attempt, he returned to the Toyota and drove off. Police responded to a call for a multi-vehicle crash and discovered the 4Runner crashed into a Volkswagen before landing on top of an Infiniti SUV. After crashing, Nieneker went to the Volkswagen, allegedly assaulted the female driver, removed her from the vehicle and drove off. Shooting At Tennessee Class Reunion Leaves 4 Hospitalized Police said Nieneker also attempted to break into a Waymo vehicle, but after failing to do so, he drove off in the Volkswagen. Just before 3 p.m., police received a call of a naked man walking through the backyard of a residence on La Casa Drive, who was seen running into a "porta potty" before fleeing on foot. The call came after an acquaintance of Nieneker reported to police that he had thrown a brick through his residence on the same street. When police arrived, they saw Nieneker walking on Montclaire Street naked, and after he failed to comply with commands, officers tased him and took him into custody. The officers also reported that they found matching clothing that was seen on the suspect inside the "porta potty." "We have three people that are deceased. This is a very sad day for Austin," Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said on Monday. "It's a very bad day for us all, and my condolences go out to the families." A preliminary investigation found the suspect has a history of mental health issues, the chief said. Davies told reporters the suspect has a rap sheet as well as emergency detention holds. Davies told reporters the investigation has not revealed what led to the shooting, noting that police do not know if there was an altercation at this point. Still, investigators will review surveillance footage outside of Target to get a better idea of what happened. Target employees directed shoppers out of the back of the store, a source tells FOX Business. "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," Target 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."Original article source: Austin man charged with capital murder in deadly Target parking lot shooting spree Monday
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
'He said that he was Jesus': Police release details on deadly Texas Target shooting
The man suspected of fatally shooting three people, including a child, in a Target parking lot in Austin, Texas, told police that he was Jesus and obtained a firearm through a family member despite a history of mental health issues, authorities said. Police identified the shooter as Ethan Nieneker, 32, and said that he began his attack by fatally shooting Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca as he collected shopping carts on Aug. 11. Nieneker then ran up to a gray Toyota 4-Runner, and fatally shot Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter before pushing Chow's wife from the vehicle, police said in a news release. Chow's wife survived with minor injuries. "What happened yesterday was an unprovoked and deliberate attack, a deliberate act of violence," Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said on Aug. 12. "Innocent lives were taken in broad daylight, in a place where people should feel safe to run their everyday errands and to live their everyday lives." USA TODAY is working to reach an attorney or family member who can speak on Nieneker's behalf. Chaotic timeline following deadly Target shooting Following the killings at 2:15 p.m. CT, police say that Nieneker stole Chow's car and made a chaotic getaway, assaulting multiple people and stealing cars along the way. Here's a timeline released by authorities: 2:20 p.m.: Driving the 4-Runner, police said Nieneker came across a parked water truck, opened the driver's door, assaulted the driver, and threw him out of the vehicle before trying to drive it. Unable to figure out how to operate the truck, authorities said he then chased a man, pistol in hand, before returning to the 4-Runner and driving off. 2:25 p.m.: Police said Nieneker crashed the 4-Runner into a Volkswagen and landed on top of an SUV. He then jumped out of the 4-Runner, assaulted the Volkswagen's driver, pushed her out of the car, and drove off. 2:34 p.m.: According to police, Nieneker ran up to a Waymo vehicle and unsuccessfully tried to break in before he got back in the Volkswagen and drove away. 2:37 p.m.: Police said Nieneker threw a brick through a window of the home of someone he knew through Bible study. 2:58 p.m.: Austin police received a call from a South Austin resident who reported seeing a man run into a porta potty and then leave naked. 3:06 p.m.: Police found Nieneker, naked and holding a Bible. They said he failed to comply with their commands, so they used a Taser stun gun on him and arrested him. They found clothing inside the porta potty matching the Target shooting suspect's attire, including a Hawaiian shirt. Charges, motive, and what we know about Ethan Nieneker Davis said Nieneker worked at a local restaurant and lived alone. He's been charged with two counts of capital murder and first-degree felony murder. Police said he will face more charges related to the subsequent assaults and carjackings. As for a motive, police Sgt. Nathan Sexton said there was "really no reason whatsoever given." "He said that he was Jesus," Sexton said. "It was a completely random choosing of the victims." Sexton said the handgun used in the attack was "acquired through family" and that the department was investigating possible charges against the family member. Davis said Nieneker's history with Austin police included assault causing bodily injury to a family member, driving under the influence, violation of a protective order, marijuana possession, and two mental health reports. "This man had some serious issues, and I think about the systems that failed in a way, as we move forward," she said. "We're looking at this background, and again, this is going to be things that are going to be coming up in the months and the years ahead. There were some serious failures here." 'Pain caused will be felt by our community for years to come' Davis declined to detail who failed Nieneker or exactly how, and said she did not know if he had been officially diagnosed. "What help are they getting when you're dealing with someone with these issues?" Davis asked. "Where does someone with this capacity to do this get a weapon? And when does a family member feel comfortable giving someone with these issues a weapon?" She called the case "a heartbreaking and deeply painful time for our city." "The actions of the suspect 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 for USA TODAY. Reach her at and follow her on X at @AmandaLeeUSAT This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Target shooting: Austin police release details about the attack
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Austin man charged with capital murder after deadly Target parking lot shooting spree
A man faces capital murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing three people, including a 4-year-old girl, during a carjacking at a Target store in Austin, Texas on Monday. The Austin Police Department said 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder. Police identified the victims who were killed as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow and Chow's 4-year-old granddaughter. According to police, officers responded to calls of multiple shootings at the Target parking lot near Research Boulevard at about 2:15 p.m., and when they arrived, they found Machuca in the parking lot. Machuca was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officers also found a family, including Chow, his granddaughter and his wife. Chow and his granddaughter were both pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation found that Nieneker allegedly attacked Target employee Machuca, who was collecting shopping carts when he was randomly shot. Police said Nieneker then ran and began shooting at a Jeep Cherokee that attempted to evade gunfire. He then ran up to a Toyota 4Runner and allegedly shot Chow, who was in the driver's seat. After allegedly shooting Chow, Nieneker then allegedly fired into the backseat and struck the 4-year-old girl. As Chow's wife carried their granddaughter from the SUV, the suspect allegedly pushed her from the vehicle before speeding out of the parking lot in the 4Runner. Shortly after fleeing the parking lot, police said, Nieneker attempted to steal a water truck. But after an unsuccessful attempt, he returned to the Toyota and drove off. Police responded to a call for a multi-vehicle crash and discovered the 4Runner crashed into a Volkswagen before landing on top of an Infiniti SUV. After crashing, Nieneker went to the Volkswagen, allegedly assaulted the female driver, removed her from the vehicle and drove off. Police said Nieneker also attempted to break into a Waymo vehicle, but after failing to do so, he drove off in the Volkswagen. Just before 3 p.m., police received a call of a naked man walking through the backyard of a residence on La Casa Drive, who was seen running into a "porta potty" before fleeing on foot. The call came after an acquaintance of Nieneker reported to police that he had thrown a brick through his residence on the same street. When police arrived, they saw Nieneker walking on Montclaire Street naked, and after he failed to comply with commands, officers tased him and took him into custody. The officers also reported that they found matching clothing that was seen on the suspect inside the "porta potty." "We have three people that are deceased. This is a very sad day for Austin," Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said on Monday. "It's a very bad day for us all, and my condolences go out to the families." A preliminary investigation found the suspect has a history of mental health issues, the chief said. Davies told reporters the suspect has a rap sheet as well as emergency detention holds. Target employees directed shoppers out of the back of the store, a source tells FOX Business. "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," Target 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."
