Austin, TX – Ethan Nieneker, a 32-year-old Texas man, is being held on a $2.5 million bond in Travis County Correctional Complex after allegedly killing three people, including a 4-year-old girl, in a random shooting at a North Austin Target parking lot on August 11, 2025.
Charged with first-degree murder, capital murder by terror threat, and capital murder of a person under 10, Nieneker’s actions raised urgent questions about mental health and gun access. His chilling confession, in which he claimed to be “Jesus” acting “out of love,” has intensified scrutiny of systemic failures in addressing his violent history and mental health struggles.
How It Went Down At Target, North Austin, Texas
The shooting occurred at 2:15 p.m. at the Target on 8601 Research Boulevard, claiming the lives of Rosa Machuca, 24, a Target employee; Adam Chow, 65; and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter. Chow’s wife sustained minor injuries.
According to an arrest affidavit, Nieneker confessed, saying, “I killed a man and a baby girl today… because I’m Jesus.” He described the attack as random, stating, “I realized I had to kill a couple of people to set everyone free… It was just random, I guess.”
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis called the attack “unprovoked and deliberate,” noting Nieneker’s history of mental health issues and domestic violence allegations dating back to 2015.
“This man had some serious issues,” Davis said at a press conference, per KUT. “There were some serious failures here.” Despite denying a formal mental health diagnosis or recent substance use, Nieneker’s erratic behavior—claiming he acted to “save us all”—prompted a court-ordered mental health evaluation.
Chaotic Escape and Arrest
After the shooting, Nieneker fled, stealing a Toyota 4-Runner from the parking lot, assaulting its driver, and crashing it into a Volkswagen. He then stole the Volkswagen, attempted to break into a Waymo driverless car, and threw a brick through the window of a Bible study acquaintance’s home on La Casa Drive.
Around 2:58 p.m., police received reports of a naked man—later identified as Nieneker—using a porta-potty nearby. Officers found him at 3:06 p.m. on Montclaire Street, 25 miles south, holding a Bible and wearing a Hawaiian shirt. After he refused commands, police used a Taser to detain him.
Nieneker allegedly admitted to police that he obtained the handgun from a family member, raising questions about how someone with his history accessed a firearm.
Federal law prohibits domestic violence offenders from possessing guns, and Austin police are investigating potential liability for the family member. Nieneker’s contradictory statements—initially claiming he was not in control but later admitting he knew right from wrong—will likely be central to his upcoming August 29 court appearance.
Troubled History and Systemic Failures
Court records from Travis and Williamson counties reveal Nieneker’s extensive criminal history, including a 2012 marijuana possession conviction, a 2015 family violence assault charge (dismissed), a 2016 felony assault conviction for choking a girlfriend, and a 2019 assault charge against a roommate (dismissed).
Despite two emergency mental health holds, Nieneker faced minimal jail time, prompting criticism of the justice and mental health systems.
“These are people slipping through the cracks,” said Greg Hansch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas, comparing the case to a 2023 Austin-San Antonio shooting spree.
The tragedy sparked outrage and grief on X. “How does someone with this record get a gun?” one user posted. Another wrote, “Austin’s hurting—three lives lost, including a child, for no reason.” The shooting, occurring during back-to-school shopping, has amplified calls for stronger gun control and mental health interventions in Texas.
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Community in Mourning
The loss of Machuca, Chow, and his granddaughter has devastated Austin, with Target offering grief counseling to employees and Mayor Kirk Watson expressing condolences. “This is a heartbreaking and deeply painful time for our city,” Davis said.
The incident, Austin’s third mass-violence event of 2025, shows the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.
As Nieneker awaits trial, facing potential life imprisonment or the death penalty, the case shows gaps in mental health support and firearm regulations. The community demands answers on how such a tragedy was allowed to unfold, with the pain of the victims’ loss expected to linger for years.
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