Latest news with #Nieneker
International Business Times
6 days ago
- International Business Times
Astrid Chow: Target Shooter Ethan Blaine Nieneker Shot Dead 4-Year-Old Girl in Cold Blood After Making Her Watch Her Grandfather's Murder
A heartbreaking photo showed the 4-year-old girl who was shot dead by a deranged gunman outside a Target, just moments after witnessing her grandfather's murder. Astrid Chow was shot dead alongside her grandfather, Adam Chow, 65, in the parking lot of a Target in Austin, Texas, as her grandmother looked on. The gunman, identified as Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, also shot and killed Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24. Police used tasers to subdue Nieneker after he fled the store in northern Austin on Monday and emerged naked from a portable toilet. "She loved singing, dancing, and making us laugh," the family said in a statement to ABC News. Killed Her Mercilessly Astrid Chow X "We are broken and miss them both so much," the statement further added. Chief Lisa Davis said at a press conference on Tuesday that Nieneker first "randomly" shot Machuca around 2:15 p.m. while the victim was collecting shopping carts. The Hawaiian shirt-wearing gunman then fired at a black Jeep that tried to escape his shot before targeting Chow's gray Toyota 4Runner. Davis said that Chow was shot while in the driver's seat, after which Nieneker fired into the back seat, striking his granddaughter Astrid. As the gravely injured grandfather's wife, Doris, tried to carry Astrid to safety, Nieneker allegedly forced them out of the vehicle and drove off in it. Austin homicide detective Nathan Sexton said Nieneker selected his victims "completely randomly" and was armed with a handgun provided by a family member. "He said that he was Jesus and there was no real reason whatsoever given," he said. Around 2:20 p.m., Nieneker pulled up beside a water truck parked along the Mopac Expressway, bashed the driver, and dragged him out of the vehicle. He tried to drive off in the truck but failed, instead chasing the driver away at gunpoint before returning to the Toyota. Five minutes later, he crashed into a Volkswagen, which ended up on top of an Infiniti SUV, then allegedly attacked and carjacked the Volkswagen's driver. A Long Chase and Arrest Ethan Blaine Nieneker X Nieneker drove that vehicle until about 2:34 p.m., when he tried unsuccessfully to steal a Waymo car and then got back into the Volkswagen. Minutes later, a church acquaintance reported that a brick smashed through his window on La Casa Drive—allegedly thrown by Nieneker. His spree continued until 2:58 p.m., when he was spotted walking naked through a backyard near the house where the brick was thrown. He was then seen running into a portable toilet before emerging again. Police found him moments later, still naked and holding a Bible, and ordered him to surrender. When he refused, officers used tasers and arrested him at 3:06 p.m. "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 2:39 p.m., and his granddaughter was declared dead at 2:50 p.m. Doris sustained only minor injuries. Nieneker now faces two counts of capital murder for the killings of Chow and his granddaughter, as well as a first-degree felony murder charge for Machuca's death.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Texas Target shooter 'executed girl, 4, in car seat after murdering grandpa'
Ethan Nieneker, 32, has been charged with murdering four-year-old Astrid Chow along with her grandad Adam Chow and a Target store worker during a shooting spree in Austin, Texas A four-year-old girl was shot dead in the back of a car along with her grandad in a gun rampage which left three dead and a naked man arrested clutching a bible. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with three counts of murder over Monday's shootings at a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday. Court records show a series of past arrests for domestic violence and assault. After shooting Target employee, Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, who was collecting shopping trollies, Nieneker opened fire on grandad Adam Chow, 65, as he sat in the driver's seat of his car. Then he fatally shot little Astrid Chow, in the back seat before stealing the vehicle and driving away fast, police said. It comes after a boy, 5, was murdered by kidnappers because his mum couldn't pay £39 ransom. READ MORE: Schoolboy, 13, has both legs amputated after 'getting cramp' at sports camp 'What happened yesterday was an unprovoked and deliberate attack, a deliberate act of violence,' Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference. '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.' The police chief said that although Nieneker had a history of mental health issues, she was unaware of any specific diagnosis. Sgt Nathan Sexton said the firearm Nieneker used in the attacks was acquired through family. 'It was a completely random choosing of the victims,' Sgt Sexton said. Police said Mr Machuca, 24, was taken to a hospital where he died. Mr Chow and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Chow's wife sustained minor injuries. Over the next hour, Nieneker tried to steal a water truck at a construction site, caused multiple vehicle crashes, wrecked Mr Chow's vehicle and then stole a Volkswagen he'd crashed into, police said. He also tried to break into a Waymo self-driving vehicle, threw a brick through the home of an acquaintance and walked naked through a backyard. Officers found Nieneker walking naked on a street after he ditched his clothes in a portable toilet, police said. He was holding a bible and was subdued with a Taser when he would not comply with demands. 'He said that he was Jesus,' Sgt Sexton said. Police received multiple 911 calls as the suspect made his way across the city. Chris Ferran said he was driving on a highway when he saw an SUV fly past him, then smash into two vehicles and keep going. 'I'm not letting anybody get away with this, so I chased him down and called 911,' he said. Mr Ferran watched as the driver pulled into a construction site, got out of the SUV and ripped a worker out of a water truck. Mr Ferran said the SUV's driver, who was clad in what looked like swimming trunks and a Hawaiian shirt, was in the truck for a while so he started shooting a video. But when the man got out of the water truck, Ferran realized he had a gun. 'As soon as I saw that, I threw the phone down and I reversed and I was trying to get us out of there,' said Mr Ferran, who had his two daughters with him. Online court records show Nieneker was arrested several times in recent years in both Travis County, which includes Austin, and neighbouring Williamson County. His Travis County arrests include misdemeanours for criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated, and three arrests on domestic violence charges. He was convicted of a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence in 2016 and briefly sentenced to jail. Williamson County records show repeated run-ins with law enforcement, including two cases of misdemeanour family violence in 2015 that were later dismissed. He was also convicted of possession of marijuana in 2012 and entered a no contest plea to a charge of criminal mischief in 2016.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Austin Target Shooting Suspect Ethan Nieneker Shared Right-Wing Memes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The man accused of fatally shooting three people outside a Target store in Austin, Texas, shared right-wing memes and posts on Facebook. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of murder over Monday's shooting. Newsweek has contacted Republican Governor Greg Abbott's office for comment via email. The Context Police said the gunman killed an employee collecting shopping carts outside the store, then a man and his 4-year-old granddaughter in a sport utility vehicle. The suspect then fled in that vehicle, causing multiple crashes and stealing other cars before being subdued with a Taser and taken into custody. The victims were identified Tuesday by police as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, Adam Chow, 65, and Chow's 4-year-old granddaughter, local news station KVUE reported. What To Know Nieneker has shared several posts attacking liberal politics and Democratic figures on Facebook over the years, according to a Newsweek review of his page. His social media history was first reported by MeidasTouch News. In June 2019, he shared a photo of a person wearing a makeshift hat with the words "2020 President Trump will be reelected," writing alongside it: "America AF." Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of murder over Monday's shooting in Austin. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of murder over Monday's shooting in Austin. Austin Police Department In August that year, he shared a meme that depicted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost the presidential election to Trump in 2016, shooting Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who authorities said died by suicide while in prison. Two posts that Nieneker shared in June 2019 criticized prominent progressives—Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. One post criticized Sanders for flying in first class on a domestic flight, while the other mocked Ocasio-Cortez for crying near "an empty parking lot" at the U.S.-Mexico border. The photos of Ocasio-Cortez were taken in 2018 outside a facility housing migrant children during a protest against the first Trump admin's family separation policy. In June 2018, Nieneker shared a USA Today article on his page, about a billboard in Texas that urged "liberals" to continue driving until they had left the state. A month prior, he shared a meme showing a man holding two automatic rifles, one in each hand, that was captioned: "This is how I feel about gun control. Please unfriend me if you disagree." Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference that Nieneker had a history of mental health issues. Court documents reviewed by Newsweek show he has a lengthy criminal history, including at least 24 charges for offenses including assault causing bodily injury, criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated. He was convicted of a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence in 2016 and briefly sentenced to jail. What People Are Saying Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a press conference on Tuesday: "What happened yesterday was an unprovoked and deliberate attack, a deliberate act of violence. 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. "The actions of the suspect showed a complete disregard for human life and the pain caused will be felt by our community for years to come." Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Make no mistake—yesterday's [August 11] attack was a sickening act of gun violence that took the innocent lives of a 4-year-old child, her grandfather, and a Target employee. "I know that all Austinites join me in deep sympathy for the Martinez Machuca and Chow families. We grieve with them and lift them up in this time of need. Austin is heartbroken." Target said in a statement to Newsweek: "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." What's Next The investigation is ongoing. The Austin Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting or calling (512) 472-8477.
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Texas shooter who killed 3 outside Target randomly chose victims, police say
Published Aug 12, 2025 • 4 minute read Austin Police hold a news conference at APD Headquarters regarding Monday's deadly shooting a Target, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Photo by Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman via AP AUSTIN, Texas — A random shooting outside a Target store in Texas began when a gunman killed an employee collecting shopping carts then a man and his 4-year-old granddaughter, sparking a chaotic hour of stolen cars and crashes that ended with him arrested naked holding a Bible, police said Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of murder over Monday's shooting in Austin. Court records show a series of past arrests for domestic violence and assault. 'What happened yesterday was an unprovoked and deliberate attack, a deliberate act of violence,' Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference. '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.' The police chief said that although Nieneker had a history of mental health issues, she was unaware of any specific diagnosis. Sgt. Nathan Sexton said the firearm Nieneker used in the attacks was acquired through family. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After shooting the Target employee, Nieneker shot the grandfather as he sat in the driver's seat of his sport utility vehicle, then fatally shot the little girl in the back seat before stealing the vehicle and driving away fast, police said. 'It was a completely random choosing of the victims,' Sexton said. Police said the Target employee, Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, was taken to a hospital where he died. Adam Chow, 65, and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the scene while Chow's wife sustained minor injuries. The name of the child was not released. Over the next hour, Nieneker tried to steal a water truck at a construction site, caused multiple vehicle crashes, wrecked Chow's vehicle and then stole a Volkswagen he'd crashed into, police said. He also tried to break into a Waymo self-driving vehicle, threw a brick through the home of an acquaintance and walked naked through a backyard. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Officers found Nieneker walking naked on a street after he ditched his clothes in a portable toilet, police said. He was holding a Bible and was subdued with a Taser when he would not comply with demands. 'He said that he was Jesus,' Sexton said. Police received multiple 911 calls as the suspect made his way across the city. Chris Ferran said he was driving on a highway when he saw an SUV fly past him, then smash into two vehicles and keep going. 'I'm not letting anybody get away with this, so I chased him down and called 911,' he said. Ferran watched as the driver pulled into a construction site, got out of the SUV and ripped a worker out of a water truck. Ferran said the SUV's driver, who was clad in what looked like swim trunks and a Hawaiian shirt, was in the truck for a while. So Ferran started shooting a video. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But when the man got out of the water truck, Ferran realized he had a gun. 'As soon as I saw that, I threw the phone down and I reversed and I was trying to get us out of there,' said Ferran, who had his two daughters with him. Jail records did not list an attorney for Nieneker on Tuesday. Online court records show Nieneker was arrested several times in recent years in both Travis County, which includes Austin, and neighbouring Williamson County. His Travis County arrests include misdemeanours for criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated, and three arrests on felony domestic violence charges. He was convicted of a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence in 2016 and briefly sentenced to jail. Another charge within days of the 2016 episode was dismissed. It was not immediately clear if those two charges were related. Another charge of felony assault on a family or household member in 2019 was dismissed three years later when prosecutors could not locate the victim. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Williamson County records show repeated run-ins with law enforcement, including two cases of misdemeanour family violence in 2015 that were later dismissed. He was also convicted of possession of marijuana in 2012 and entered a no contest plea to a charge of criminal mischief in 2016. Monday's shooting came as back-to-school shopping was in full swing ahead of the upcoming academic year. It also comes about two weeks after an attack at a Walmart in Michigan in which a man stabbed 11 people. The suspect has been charged with terrorism and multiple counts of attempted murder. — Stengle contributed to this report from Dallas. Heather Hollingsworth contributed to this story from Kansas City, Mo. Read More Opinion Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Toronto & GTA
9 News
7 days ago
- 9 News
Grandfather and granddaughter among those killed in US Target shooting
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here US police have identified the victims in a shooting that killed three people, including a child, in a Target parking lot. The victims include Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca as well as Adam Chow and Chow's granddaughter. "Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter were pronounced deceased on scene," a Tuesday statement says. Martinez Machuca was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital. Chow's wife sustained minor injuries, the release said. Police block the entrance to a Target after a shooting in Austin, Texas, on August 11. (AP) Authorities said the suspected gunman, Ethan Nieneker, "randomly attacked" Martinez Machuca — a Target employee — in the parking lot on Monday local time. Nieneker allegedly shot him as he was collecting shopping carts, the release said. The shooting is one in a spate of deadly gun violence in the US, and follows killings in recent weeks at places normally considered safe – a Montana bar, the offices of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and an office building in New York City. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Tuesday the victims were picked at random and Nieneker had "serious issues". "There were some serious failures here … when you look at potentially some mental illness there," Davis said. The firearm used in Monday's fatal shooting was "acquired through family," Austin police Sergeant Nathan Sexton said Tuesday. Nieneker, 32, is being held at the Travis County Jail, charged with capital murder by terror threat, capital murder of a person under 10 years old and felony first-degree murder, according to online jail records . A police mugshot of suspect Mugshot of Ethan Nieneker. (Austin Police Department) He also has prior criminal offences, including assault causing bodily injury to a family member, driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana, Davis said on Tuesday. It is unclear if Nieneker has made a court appearance or obtained an attorney. A motive has not been determined and it's not clear what led to Monday's gunfire. The shooting erupted during a busy time of year for retailers, with back-to-school shopping underway. Police were called at 2.15pm and arrived at the Target parking lot where they found three people shot, Davis said. After shooting Martinez Machuca, Nieneker ran to a black Jeep Cherokee. He began firing as the Jeep attempted to evade the gunfire, Tuesday's police statement said. He then ran up to Chow's car, where he shot him and then fired into the backseat, striking the granddaughter, police said. Nieneker was eventually captured about 32km away in South Austin after someone called police, Davis said. He was taken into custody after being tased. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called the shooting "a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence". "This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families," he said in a post on X . Target said in a statement it is "devastated by the violence" at the Austin store and is working with law enforcement on the investigation. Lonnie Lee, 22, had visited the Target with her sister and was shocked to see the parking lot was cordoned off and filled with police, she told The Associated Press . "We got really, really lucky," Lee said. "And some people didn't." At a Jiffy Lube shop that shares its parking lot with the Target, employees locked the doors as soon as they became aware of the shooting. Paul Smith, an employee at the oil-change store, saw people running from their cars in the parking lot in a panic, he told the AP. "I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before," Smith said. CONTACT US
