TX -- 3 dead, Target parking lot shooting, arrest. North Austin. 11 August 2025

[Inthedetails]

I got a similar vibe. But, I didn't get the vibe that the LE chief (or whoever that was, since I missed the beginning, I didn't know who the people were) was necessarily upset about guns or even access to them but more that she was mad at the medical establishment re: this guy roaming free with known mental issues & no recent (or any?) check-ins on him. Just MOO. (My read of the situation could be wrong. I'm just sharing the vibe I personally picked up.)

(Also, fyi, an article about red flag laws & such in TX.)

Yes, I agree with that take on the presser.

It must be frustrating for LE (and families) because there is, essentially, no system. We can't say "the system failed" for mental-health issues because....what system?! The 72-hour hold ain't holding.

jmo

 

[x_files]

Yes, I agree with that take on the presser.

It must be frustrating for LE (and families) because there is, essentially, no system. We can't say "the system failed" for mental-health issues because....what system?! The 72-hour hold ain't holding.

jmo

I don't think there's any help for the mentally unwell in Texas anymore due to budget cuts.

 

[Inthedetails]

I don't think there's any help for the mentally unwell in Texas anymore due to budget cuts.

Same all over, tbh.

People have to be willing to pay taxes for public programs and to support people who work for public benefit. And that is very unpopular now.

So, we await the next incident. sorry to be so glum

jmopinion

 

[vls12345]

Yes, I agree with that take on the presser.

It must be frustrating for LE (and families) because there is, essentially, no system. We can't say "the system failed" for mental-health issues because....what system?! The 72-hour hold ain't holding.

jmo

Agree. I think this is an issue in many places, not just TX. And, it extends just beyond mental health care, imo. There are multiple factors, including that this guy has a record, has been arrested multiple times, including for family/domestic violence (which is ignored or somehow considered "less bad" too much of the time, imo), access to weapons, etc. Anyway, lots of factors that we probably really can't delve into here.

But this guy was a known quantity for sure. MOO.

Suspect in shooting at North Austin Target had extensive criminal history

Ethan Nieneker, a 32-year-old white man, spent time behind bars in 2016 and 2017 for family violence, driving while intoxicated and for violating the terms of his bond or protective order, according to court records.

www.kut.org

 

[vls12345]

Victims identified, additional information released by police in North Austin Target shooting

Austin police have released the names of the three victims of the deadly shooting at Target off Research Boulevard.

www.kvue.com

Victims are a young Target employee, a grandfather, & his 4-year-old granddaughter.

The victims are 24-year-old Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 65-year-old Adam Chow and Chow's 4-year-old granddaughter. Martinez Machuca, a Target employee, died at a hospital, while both Chow and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the Target. Chow's wife also sustained minor injuries.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955367074290598369

 

[Inthedetails]

I'm not sure what the brick-through-a window reference was.

jmo

Here's more info about the brick:

He was eventually taken down with a Taser about 20 miles away in the city’ south end after throwing a brick through the home of a friend of his from Bible study and wandering naked through a backyard, all of which was captured on video surveillance.

Austin Target shooting suspect claimed he was Jesus, chose his victims — an employee, grandfather and 4-year-old granddaughter — at random

Ethan Nieneker went on a deadly rampage Monday afternoon in Austin, Texas, killing a Target employee, a 66-year-old man and his 4-year-old granddaughter.

nypost.com

 

[vls12345]

Two of the three victims. RIP.

Adam Chow & his granddaughter Astrid Chow.

Austin Target shooting suspect claimed he was Jesus, chose his victims — an employee, grandfather and 4-year-old granddaughter — at random

Ethan Nieneker went on a deadly rampage Monday afternoon in Austin, Texas, killing a Target employee, a 66-year-old man and his 4-year-old granddaughter.

nypost.com

 

[vls12345]

Homicide Investigation at 8601 Research Boulevard Northbound (Target parking lot) | AustinTexas.gov

Case: 25-2230838

www.austintexas.gov

 

[Inthedetails]

Homicide Investigation at 8601 Research Boulevard Northbound (Target parking lot) | AustinTexas.gov

Case: 25-2230838

www.austintexas.gov

Great rundown of the incident at the ^^ link ^^, including how he got naked (which I wondered about but didn't want to think about!).

jmo

 

[vls12345]

Great rundown of the incident at the ^^ link ^^, including how he got naked (which I wondered about but didn't want to think about!).

jmo

Yes, it is a clear overview & explains the brick & the loss of clothes.

They also say, "The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour."

I wonder if he was on some kind of drugs that amped him up more? (Not that it's an excuse or should mitigate any of the responsibility he has for this.)

 

[vls12345]

Condolences to the loved ones of the victims, the witnesses, & to the others who encountered this killer during his spree.

And also thanks to the first responders who rush to help & deal with the worst things one can see.

 

[Gemmie]

A mentally ill gunman shot and killed three people at a Target in central Texas on Monday – then stole a pair of cars before he was arrested, officials said.

The 32-year-old, who has an unspecified mental health history, opened fire in a Target parking lot north of Austin at around 2:15 p.m., according to cops.

Mentally ill gunman kills 3, including child, at Texas Target — caught after crashing stolen car

Three people were killed and several others, including a child, were injured in a shooting at a Target in central Texas Monday afternoon, officials said.

nypost.com

What is a pair pf cars? (I know, two). I've just never heard of cars described as "a pair of". A pair of pants, underwear, or sock, yes, but a pair of cars? No.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[Tricia]

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[x_files]

Yes, it is a clear overview & explains the brick & the loss of clothes.

They also say, "The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour."

I wonder if he was on some kind of drugs that amped him up more? (Not that it's an excuse or should mitigate any of the responsibility he has for this.)

Remember when BATH SALTS were all the rage and caused these psychotic breaks? Kinda like PCP?
No mention of drugs yet...

 

[Occam's Zebra]

He shot four people and stole two cars, and was arrested instead of shot by LE. They found him walking naked through a neighborhood and Tased him to bring him into custody.

He also has light skin.

Wonder if he would have made it out alive if he was non-white. IMHO unlikely.

 

[indicolite22]

He shot four people and stole two cars, and was arrested instead of shot by LE. They found him walking naked through a neighborhood and Tased him to bring him into custody.

He also has light skin.

Wonder if he would have made it out alive if he was non-white. IMHO unlikely.

It's hard to hide a weapon if you're naked.

 

[indicolite22]

This is the second murderer recently that liked cats (pics on his fb), so not someone who starts with animal abuse. At some point he had a normal job (server in a restaurant).

Ethan Nieneker

Ethan Nieneker is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Ethan Nieneker and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.

www.facebook.com

People who went to HS with him and who also met him later/recently are speaking up on SM.