Ethan Blaine Nieneker opened fireplace outdoors a Goal retailer in Austin on Monday, killing three individuals. The victims have been recognized as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 24, a Goal worker; Adam Chow, 65; and Chow’s four-year-old granddaughter. Police alleged that the capturing suspect made the kid watch her grandfather’s homicide earlier than executing her.
Austin police alleged that Nieneker pressured the lady to observe as he fatally shot her grandfather and wounded her grandmother. Officers additional famous that the 32-year-old had a historical past of psychological sickness, with out moving into specifics.
Chaotic escape and bare arrest
Police mentioned Nieneker fled the shop in a automobile stolen from the parking zone — believed to belong to one of many victims, earlier than crashing it close by. He then allegedly stole one other automotive from a Volkswagen dealership and drove 18 miles by way of town, weaving into South Austin.
Learn Extra: Ethan Nieneker: Austin Goal shooter was bare, carrying a Bible after firing pictures; ‘I’m Jesus’
The pursuit resulted in an uncommon and disturbing scene: Nieneker allegedly ditched his garments in a transportable rest room, emerged bare and holding a Bible, and was subdued by a Taser when he refused police instructions. “He mentioned that he was Jesus,” Sgt. Nathan Sexton mentioned.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis mentioned officers acquired calls concerning the capturing inside minutes and arrived on the scene about 4 minutes later. Within the parking zone, they discovered three individuals affected by gunshot wounds. Two victims died on the scene; the third died en path to the hospital.
Goal later issued an announcement expressing heartbreak and promising grief counseling for workers.
“We’re devastated by the violence that occurred right this moment at our retailer in Austin, Texas,” the assertion learn. “Our hearts are with the households and family members of those that misplaced their lives, our group in Austin, and all these impacted by this tragedy.”
Witnesses describe terror
Buyers and workers described moments of panic as gunfire erupted.
“I used to be inside the shop, however then I hear on the radio like pictures fired,” worker Freyen Sagastume advised KXAN. “They only advised us ‘energetic shooter’… we advised company to get out.”
At a close-by Jiffy Lube, employees locked the doorways and took cowl. Paul Smith, a mechanic, recalled seeing frightened customers operating from their automobiles.
“I had simply gotten again from the Goal like a minute earlier than,” he advised Spectrum Native Information.
Ethan Nieneker’s troubled previous
Public data present Nieneker has a historical past of arrests courting again to 2011, together with assault on a member of the family, a number of prices of home violence, driving whereas intoxicated, legal mischief, and violating protecting orders. Some instances have been dismissed.
Police say he additionally has a documented historical past of psychological sickness.
