A Texas man is in custody after police say he opened fire in a random burst of gunfire at a Target, killing three people — including a 4-year-old girl — in a shocking daytime attack.
According to the Austin Police Department, 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker is facing charges of first-degree murder, capital murder by terror threat, and capital murder of a person under 10. The victims were identified as 24-year-old Rosa Machuca, 65-year-old Adam Chow, and Chow’s young granddaughter. Chow’s wife suffered minor injuries.
Court documents say Nieneker later confessed in disturbing statements to police, allegedly telling them, “I killed a man and a baby girl today. In Target. In the Target parking lot. I shot them both, because I’m Jesus.” He reportedly went on to claim, “I killed these people out of love, not out of hate… I had to kill a couple of people to set everyone free.”
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Nieneker had a long history of domestic violence allegations dating back to 2015 and a record of mental health issues, adding, “There were some serious failures here… when you’re looking at potentially some mental illness there.”
The deadly attack happened around 2:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, at the Target on Research Boulevard in North Austin. Police say Nieneker fled in a stolen car, crashed it, then stole another vehicle — assaulting other drivers in the process — and even attempted to take a municipal water truck and a Waymo driverless car.
His alleged crime spree ended about an hour later, 25 miles away, when he was spotted naked on La Casa Drive. According to investigators, he had just thrown a brick through an acquaintance’s window before being reported for using a porta-potty in the area. He was arrested after being tased and again confessed to the killings, police say.
Nieneker is being held on $2.5 million bond at the Travis County Correctional Complex, has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, and remains under observation. He’s due back in court on Aug. 29.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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