Texas Shooting Incident at Target Parking Lot: New Charges Filed Against Suspect

The individual charged with the fatal shooting of three individuals on August 11 at a north Austin shopping center’s parking lot is now facing more legal charges, as per records from the Travis County court.

Ethan Nieneker, 32, was initially charged with Capital Murder by Terror Threat, Capital Murder of someone under the age of 10, and first-degree murder. He is now confronting a total of eight charges, including attempted murder and aggravated robbery, according to court documents.

Police previously identified the victims as 24-year-old Target employee Rosa Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow, 66, and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter.

KXAN has sought further details and commentary from Nieneker’s legal representative regarding the charges. Updates will be provided once a response is received.

Timeline

2:15 p.m.

Just after 2 p.m., the Austin Police Department responded to a shooting at the Target located at 8601 Research Blvd.

Police reported that officers discovered three individuals suffering from gunshot injuries in the parking area. The gunfire incident was outside the store, the Austin Police Department stated. Meanwhile, Austin-Travis County EMS handled an unrelated injury for another person.

When detectives arrived at the Target, they found 40 fired cartridge cases, according the arrest warrant affidavit. 

Nieneker stole a gray Toyota 4-Runner and fled the scene, according to APD.

2:20 p.m.

As per APD’s account, Nieneker encountered a water truck parked nearby the 7800 block of Mopac Expressway at about 2:20 p.m., where he “assaulted the driver repeatedly before ejecting him from the vehicle.”

Nieneker tried to drive the truck but failed, subsequently exiting the truck. He then pursued a man wielding a pistol before returning to the stolen 4-Runner to make his escape, according to the APD’s report.

2:25 p.m.

At approximately 2:25 p.m., APD received a call reporting a multiple-vehicle crash. According to APD, Nieneker crashed the 4-Runner into a Volkswagen before landing on top of an Infiniti SUV.

APD said Nieneker exited the vehicle and went over to the Volkswagen, opened the door and “repeatedly assaulted the female driver of the Volkswagen” before pushing her out and stealing the Volkswagen and fleeing the scene.

KXAN was at that scene, off the frontage road between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane, where a black SUV had crashed into several parked vehicles and was resting on top of another.

2:34 p.m.

APD said a suspect matching Nieneker’s description exited the stolen Volkswagen and went up to a Waymo vehicle and attempted to break into it around 2:34 p.m. It did not work, so Nieneker returned to the stolen Volkswagen and drove away.

2:37 p.m.

An “acquaintance” who knew Nieneker through bible study reported that Nieneker had thrown a brick through his residence in the 2100 block of La Casa Drive. 

Ethan told police he went to a friend’s house. He said when that friend did not let him inside, Nieneker broke their window, according to documents.

Around 3 p.m.

At 2:58 p.m., APD got a call about a naked male walking through a backyard in the 2400 block of La Casa Drive.

APD said Nieneker was seen running into a porta-potty and then leaving on foot.

Officers located Nieneker walking naked on Montclaire Street and issued commands. APD said Nieneker did not comply, so he was tased and taken into custody at 3:06 p.m. 

Officers checked the area and found clothing in the porta-potty that matched the description of what Nieneker was previously wearing.

Ethan told police the reason he undressed in the porta-potty was not to conceal evidence, but to “put things he loved in a disgusting place,” according to the arrest warrant affidavit.