A horrific shooting at a Target parking lot in North Austin has left three people dead, including a young child. Authorities have identified the suspect as Ethan Blaine Nieneker, a man in his early 30s, who is now in police custody and facing multiple murder charges.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Target store on Research Boulevard. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third died shortly after being rushed to the hospital. A fourth person was treated at the location for a medical issue unrelated to the gunfire.
After the deadly attack, Nieneker attempted to flee by stealing a car from the scene—believed to belong to one of the victims. He crashed that vehicle and then stole another car from a nearby dealership. Police eventually tracked him down in South Austin, where he was arrested following a brief pursuit and a physical struggle that ended with officers deploying a Taser.
His booking photo reveals a bloodied and bruised face, with a deep gash near one eye and multiple scratches, believed to be the result of the confrontation with law enforcement.
Nieneker is now being held in the Travis County Jail on several charges, including capital murder and the capital murder of a person under the age of 10. Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the young child killed in the attack was under that age threshold, which elevates the severity of the charges.
Authorities also revealed that Nieneker has a history of mental health struggles and previous criminal charges, including DUI, domestic assault, and multiple protective order violations. Some of those prior cases were reportedly dismissed, but the overall record has raised serious questions about his access to firearms.
City officials have called the shooting a “cowardly act of senseless violence” and have pledged a full investigation into the suspect’s background and the events leading up to the tragedy.
In Summary
What began as an ordinary day at a neighborhood store ended in unimaginable heartbreak. As families and a community mourn the lives lost—including a young child—police continue working to understand the motive behind the violence and ensure justice is served.
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