A routine shopping trip in north Austin turned into tragedy when a gunman opened fire outside a Target store, killing three people, including a 4-year-old girl. Police identified the suspect as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker, who was arrested after a chaotic chase across the city.
The victims were Target employee Hector Martinez Machuca, 24; Adam Chow, 65; and his granddaughter, Astrid Fung. Chow’s wife, Doris, survived with minor injuries. “We are broken and miss them both so much,” the Chow family said in a statement.
Police say Nieneker first shot Machuca in the parking lot, then attacked the Chows in their SUV before fleeing in their vehicle. The suspect crashed into cars, attempted carjackings, and assaulted drivers before being caught. Authorities described the attack as “unprovoked and deliberate.”
Loved ones and coworkers are remembering the victims as kind, joyful, and deeply loved. A GoFundMe for funeral expenses has raised tens of thousands. As one friend wrote, “My heart hurts for their families.” The community remains shaken, seeking answers, and honoring the lives lost.
