Austin, Texas — A quiet Monday afternoon turned into a nightmare when a 32-year-old man opened fire in a Target parking lot, killing three people — including a child — before leading police on a chaotic chase across the city. Authorities have identified the shooter as Ethan Nieneker, a man with a prior criminal record and documented mental health problems.
According to police, the attack was unprovoked. The shooter showed no signs of targeting anyone specifically, making the tragedy even more chilling.
“Ethan Nieneker, 32, went on the deadly rampage Monday afternoon in Austin, using a gun obtained by a family member to fatally shoot Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, Adam Chow, 66, and Chow’s young granddaughter, the Austin Police Department announced Tuesday,” the New York Post reported.
Homicide Detective Nathan Sexton revealed disturbing details about Nieneker’s state of mind during the rampage.
“He said that he was Jesus and there was no real reason whatsoever given,” Sexton explained, describing the accused as mentally unstable and unpredictable.
