Austin, TX – Monday, August 11, 2025 — In a harrowing afternoon for North Austin, a shooting unfolded in the parking lot of the Target store located at 8601 Research Boulevard, resulting in three deaths—two adults and a child—and one additional person treated for non-gunshot injuries.
The Suspect Identified: Who Is Ethan Nieneker?
Police have identified the suspect as 32-year-old Ethan Blane Nieneker. He was taken into custody within hours after a pursuit and multiple vehicle thefts, and is now held at the Travis County Jail facing serious charges, including capital murder by terror threat, capital murder of a person under 10 years of age, and first-degree murder.
The Horrifying Sequence of Events
- Around 2:15 p.m., officers responded swiftly to reports of gunfire at the Target parking lot and found three shooting victims. Two were pronounced dead on the scene; the third died later in the hospital.
- Nieneker fled by stealing a vehicle—believed to belong to one of the victims—crashed it shortly thereafter, then hijacked another car from a nearby dealership. He was arrested in South Austin after being subdued with a Taser by police approximately 20 miles from the scene.
A Troubled Past: Legal History and Mental Health
Authorities describe Nieneker as having a documented history of mental health issues, including previous emergency psychiatric holds—a measure used when someone poses a substantial risk to themselves or others.
His criminal record spans multiple counties, featuring:
- Assault in family violence cases
- Criminal mischief
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Violation of protective or bond orders
Additionally, social media profiles attributed to him displayed disturbing sentiments—posting about feelings of victimization and making offensive statements toward Native Americans.Though these posts do not establish motive, they raise concerns about his state of mind leading up to the incident.
The Elusive Motive
Even with the charges and background, no motive has been determined or disclosed. Law enforcement continues their investigation, urging patience as they seek to understand the catalyst for this deadly act.
Community and Official Responses
- Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis extended her condolences, stating, “This is a very sad day for Austin. It’s a very sad day for us all.”
- Mayor Kirk Watson decried the shooting as a “sickening, cowardly act of gun violence,” offering his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.
- Target Corporation expressed devastation over the incident, committed to collaborating with authorities, and pledged grief counseling and support for affected employees.
This tragedy—a routine afternoon shattered by inexplicable violence—leaves the Austin community reeling. With investigations ongoing and many questions left unanswered, the city awaits understanding, closure, and justice.
If you’d like, I can track updates from upcoming press briefings, delve into comparable incidents in Texas, or explore the broader issues surrounding mental health and violence.