Austin Police Identify Suspect and Victims in Devastating Target Triple Homicide

Austin police have released the identities of the suspect and victims involved in Monday’s tragic triple homicide at a North Austin Target store, an incident that has shocked the community.

The victims have been named as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, a 24-year-old Target employee, and 65-year-old Adam Chow, along with his 4-year-old granddaughter. Machuca was reportedly shot while collecting shopping carts in the parking lot, while Chow and his granddaughter were fatally shot inside their vehicle.

Authorities identified the alleged shooter as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker. He was apprehended on Monday, less than an hour after the shooting, following a series of chaotic events that included vehicle thefts and assaults across the city. Nieneker faces charges of capital murder by terror threat or other felony, capital murder of a person under age 10, and first-degree murder.

During a Tuesday media briefing, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis revealed that Nieneker has a history of mental health issues, having been placed on emergency holds twice previously. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered from a stolen vehicle and was reportedly acquired through family. The Target store on Research Parkway remains closed as the investigation continues.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his condolences, stating, “This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families. While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.”

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