Three people died in a shooting in the parking lot of a Target at 8601 Research Boulevard in North Austin on Monday, police said. A suspect is in custody.
Police said Ethan Nieneker, 32, "randomly attacked" the first victim, 24-year-old Target employee Rosa Martinez Machuca, fatally shooting her as she was collecting shopping carts on Monday afternoon. The suspect then shot 65-year-old Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter in their car before stealing it and fleeing.
Police were called to the parking lot at 2:15 p.m. Monday. Austin Police and Austin-AGÕæÈË°Ù¼ÒÀÖ County EMS arrived shortly after.
Chow and his granddaughter died at the scene; Chow's wife, who was also in the car, had minor injuries. Martinez Machuca was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.
After leaving the Target parking lot, police said, the suspect attempted to break into a series of vehicles, assaulting two drivers and crashing into multiple cars. He then reportedly threw a brick into the home of an acquaintance in South Austin.
Police arrested Nieneker just after 3 p.m. near the 2400 block of La Casa Drive, around 10 miles from the Target. He had stripped inside a porta potty and did not comply with officer commands, police said. Officers tased him before taking him into custody.
Nieneker was charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder, but could face more charges, APD Sgt. Nathan Sexton said at a news conference Tuesday. Sexton said Nieneker used a handgun from his family in the shooting.
The suspect has a history of mental health issues and run-ins with law enforcement for family violence and driving while intoxicated. Police Chief Lisa Davis said he “has a rap sheet� with the department.
Davis said the victims were randomly targeted. Police are investigating whether Nieneker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families," Mayor Kirk Watson . "While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence."
A Target spokesperson said the company was working with law enforcement and providing grief counseling to employees.
"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.
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified one of the victims. Her name is Rosa Martinez Machuca. Her fiancée, Kim Dang, said Martinez Machuca was a trans woman who was unable to legally change her name before her death.
Clarification: A previous version of this story stated that Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Nieneker had been placed on emergency holds. The department now says he was not placed on an emergency hold or committed.
