Austin, TX, September 29, 2025
News Summary
In a shocking incident in Austin, Texas, a shooting at a Target parking lot resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a child. The shooter, Ethan Nieneker, allegedly opened fire without motive, later claiming divine inspiration. Amid the aftermath, the police are investigating how he obtained the firearm while emphasizing systemic mental health failures. Nieneker faces capital murder charges and has a lengthy criminal history.
Austin, Texas – Texas Man Claims to be Jesus During Deadly Target Shooting That Left Three Dead, Including a Child
A deadly shooting in a Target parking lot in Austin, Texas, left three people dead, including a child, on Monday afternoon, August 11. The shooter, 32-year-old Ethan Blane Nieneker, allegedly opened fire randomly targeting victims with no apparent motive. The victims have been identified as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, a Target employee; Adam Chow, 66, a grandfather; and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid.
The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. when Nieneker, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, first approached Machuca, who was collecting shopping carts. After wounding Machuca, Nieneker continued his assault, firing at Chow’s vehicle, where he shot both Chow in the driver’s seat and Astrid in the backseat. While Machuca later died at a hospital, both Chow and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the scene. Chow’s wife sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Following the shooting, Nieneker stole Chow’s gray Toyota 4-Runner and fled the scene at a high speed, crashing the vehicle into another car before assaulting a female driver of a Volkswagen and hijacking her vehicle. Later, he unsuccessfully attempted to steal a water truck and assaulted its driver. Nieneker was eventually apprehended about 20 miles away after wandering naked in a residential area.
The Austin Police Department recovered the firearm used in the shootings from the stolen Toyota 4-Runner. Nieneker has a significant criminal history, with multiple arrests for assault, drug possession, and driving while intoxicated. He is now facing two counts of capital murder, as well as additional charges of aggravated robbery and attempted murder. His bond for these charges has been set at a total of $3.4 million.
The police described the shooting as a “completely random choosing of the victims,” with Nieneker reportedly claiming to act out of love, stating that it was God’s will to kill the victims to “set everyone free.” Authorities are currently investigating how he obtained the firearm used in the shooting and whether he was under the influence of drugs at that time.
After his arrest, Chief of Police Lisa Davis emphasized the systemic failures in the mental health system, questioning how an individual with serious mental health issues managed to obtain a firearm. The police department encourages anyone who may have additional information regarding the incident to contact them.
### FAQ Section
FAQ
- Who was the shooter in the Austin Target shooting?
- Ethan Blane Nieneker, 32, is the alleged shooter.
- How many victims were there in the shooting?
- Three victims were killed, including a 4-year-old girl and her grandfather.
- What were the names of the victims?
- The victims have been identified as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow, and Astrid Chow.
- When did the shooting take place?
- The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon, August 11.
- What charges is Nieneker facing?
- Nieneker is facing two counts of capital murder, plus charges for aggravated robbery and attempted murder.
- What did Nieneker claim during the shooting?
- Nieneker allegedly claimed to be Jesus and stated he acted out of love, saying it was God’s will to kill the victims.
- What was Nieneker’s criminal history?
- Nieneker has multiple arrests for assault, drug possession, and driving while intoxicated.
- How did the police apprehend Nieneker?
- Nieneker was arrested after wandering naked in a residential area and was taken down with a Taser.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | August 11 |
| Number of Victims | Three (including a child) |
| Shooter’s Name | Ethan Blane Nieneker |
| Victims | Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow, Astrid Chow |
| Charges Against Shooter | Two counts of capital murder and other charges |
| Response by Police | Investigating gun acquisition and mental health issues |
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- AOL News
- Google Search: Austin Target Shooting 2025
- KVUE News
- Google Scholar: Austin Target Shooting
- CNN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Shooting
- KXAN News
- Google News: Austin Shooting News
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
