The suspect involved in the tragic shooting outside a North Austin Target has a documented history of mental health issues and numerous encounters with law enforcement dating back to at least 2012. According to a police statement and court records from both Travis and Williamson counties, 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker has faced various legal troubles that highlight a concerning pattern of behavior.
In 2016 and 2017, Nieneker served time in prison for offenses including family violence, driving while intoxicated, and violations of his bond or protective order. Court records indicate that he had at least two additional family violence charges in Travis County, but those were dismissed. The last charge from 2019 was dropped three years ago due to the victim's unavailability for contact. Additionally, he faced charges for marijuana possession and vandalism.
Nieneker is accused of fatally shooting Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter in the parking lot of a Target on Monday afternoon. A third victim, Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Following the incident, Nieneker has been charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder, as confirmed by Austin Police Department (APD) Sgt. Nathan Sexton during a news conference on Tuesday. Nieneker may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
According to Sgt. Sexton, Nieneker used a handgun that he obtained through family members. Under federal law, individuals convicted of domestic violence are typically prohibited from possessing firearms, raising questions about whether any family members might face legal repercussions. The investigation is also looking into whether Nieneker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis indicated that the victims were selected at random and acknowledged “serious failures” in the mental health system. She noted that Nieneker had previously been subjected to emergency detention, a procedure initiated when there is evidence of an "imminent, substantial risk of serious harm to self or others."
A coworker of Nieneker, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of job loss, reported a noticeable change in his behavior during a shift at a restaurant just days before the incident. The coworker described Nieneker as having a manic demeanor, stating, “He started to ramble on about how in the past few days he has had a revelation and felt as though he was chosen.” This alarming behavior included claims of fasting for several days to connect with a higher power. “It just struck me as very manic,” the coworker added, pointing out the stark contrast to Nieneker’s usual behavior from the previous weekend.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and increased awareness surrounding the issues of gun access and domestic violence. As investigations unfold, community members are left grappling with the implications of such violence and the critical role of mental health resources in preventing future tragedies.
