Gunfire erupts at a Target store, leaving 3 people deceased, while a suspect is now in custody, as per police reports.
Target Shooting in Austin: Suspect Arrested, Investigation Ongoing
A tragic incident unfolded in Austin, Texas, on July 26, as a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of a Target store, claiming the lives of two adults and a 4-year-old child. The suspect, Ethan Nieneker, a 32-year-old man with a history of criminal charges including family violence, driving under the influence, and mental health issues, was arrested at the scene.
The shooting was described by Austin Police as an "unprovoked, deliberate, and random attack" on innocent people in broad daylight. Despite questioning, Nieneker provided no clear motive or reason for choosing the victims.
The victims of the shooting were identified as Astrid Fung, a 4-year-old girl, her grandfather Adam Chow, and Target employee Rosa Martinez Machuca. Unfortunately, Astrid and Adam did not survive the attack, while the grandmother was injured but survived.
Nieneker was charged with three counts of murder and is currently being held on a $2.5 million bond. The investigation remains active, with authorities working closely with the victims’ families and providing updates. The Chow family and Target corporate have pledged to cooperate fully and provide support resources such as grief counseling to staff affected by the tragedy.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Target store was closed, and employees were offered support. Target corporate issued a statement expressing their condolences and offering assistance to the victims' families and the affected community.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also expressed condolences for the victims of the shooting, stating, "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time."
The suspect is said to have stolen two cars during his getaway, one of which belonged to the owner of the car stolen from the store's parking lot. He was eventually captured approximately 20 miles away in south Austin.
This tragic event follows a similar attack at a Walmart store in Michigan just over two weeks prior. The investigation is ongoing under Austin Police jurisdiction, and no clear motive has been established as of yet.
Report for America, a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues, contributed to this report.
[1] Associated Press writers Jim Vertuno, Jamie Stengle, and Heather Hollingsworth also contributed to this report.
[2] Lathan, a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, also contributed to this report.
[3] The copyright for this report belongs to The Associated Press.
- The investigation into the Target shooting, a tragic event in Austin, Texas, is not only focusing on the unprovoked attack and the suspect's criminal history, including family violence and mental health issues, but also delving into the broader aspects of general news, crime-and-justice, and mental-health, given the suspect's mental health background.
- As the health-and-wellness community grapples with the ongoing pandemic, this shooting in Austin serves as a sobering reminder of the need for continued efforts in promoting mental health awareness and preventive measures, particularly in high-stress situations such as the one that unfolded in the Target parking lot.
