North Austin, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Ethan Blane Nieneker, 32, now faces eight felony charges after a shooting at a North Austin Target store that left three dead, including a child. The incident involved a random attack on a Target employee, followed by a violent spree. Nieneker’s criminal history raises concerns about his mental state, as he faces potential death penalty charges. He is currently held at Travis County Jail with a bond set at $3.4 million.
North Austin
In a tragic turn of events, 32-year-old Ethan Blane Nieneker now faces five additional felony charges, bringing the total to eight charges connected to a horrific shooting incident at a Target store in North Austin on August 11. The additional charges include two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of attempted murder, one count of robbery, and one count of aggravated robbery, all alongside existing charges of two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree murder.
The shooting claimed the lives of three victims: 64-year-old Adam Chow, his 4-year-old granddaughter Astrid Fung, and 24-year-old Target employee Rosa Machuca. The incident unfolded at approximately 2:15 p.m., as Nieneker randomly attacked Machuca while she was collecting shopping carts outside the store. She was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Chow and his granddaughter were found in their vehicle, a Toyota 4-Runner, where they were pronounced dead at the scene. Chow’s wife, who was also present, suffered minor injuries during the chaotic event. Nieneker fired shots into the vehicle, hitting Chow while seated in the driver’s seat and fatally striking his granddaughter in the backseat.
Following the assault, Nieneker fled the scene in Chow’s vehicle before stealing a water truck, leading to another violent encounter where he assaulted the truck driver. Nieneker continued his erratic behavior by crashing the stolen 4-Runner into another vehicle, subsequently assaulting the driver of a Volkswagen. His spree culminated in attempts to break into a Waymo self-driving vehicle and throwing a brick at a residence associated with someone known to him. Ultimately, he was found naked and apprehended after officers used a Taser.
During police questioning, Nieneker confessed to the shootings, stating he committed the acts “out of love” and claimed he was “Jesus,” despite lacking any formal mental health diagnosis. He denied using drugs or alcohol before the incident. However, surveillance footage from the Target store contradicted his claims about the events leading up to the shootings.
With a lengthy criminal history that includes arrests for family violence and DWI dating back to 2011, Nieneker is now facing possible death penalty charges based on the nature of his offenses, which could also result in up to four life sentences and an additional 80 years. A mental health evaluation has been ordered as part of the ongoing court proceedings, which will further assess Nieneker’s mental state related to the crimes.
Currently, Nieneker is held at the Travis County Jail, where his total bond across all eight charges amounts to $3.4 million.
Summary of Charges Against Ethan Nieneker
| Charge | Count |
|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon | 2 |
| Attempted Murder | 1 |
| Robbery | 1 |
| Aggravated Robbery | 1 |
| Capital Murder | 2 |
| First-Degree Murder | 1 |
FAQ
What happened during the North Austin Target shooting?
Ethan Nieneker fatally shot three individuals, including a child and a Target employee, before fleeing the scene and engaging in a series of violent acts.
What charges is Ethan Nieneker facing?
Nieneker is facing five new felony charges, along with existing murder charges that total eight charges, including aggravated assault, attempted murder, and robbery.
What is the status of Ethan Nieneker?
Nieneker is currently being held in the Travis County Jail with a total bond of $3.4 million for all charges.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE News
- Wikipedia: Ethan Nieneker
- Austin American-Statesman
- Google Search: Ethan Nieneker Austin shooting
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: Ethan Nieneker case study
- Associated Press News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethan Nieneker
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google News: Ethan Nieneker Austin Target Shooting
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.
