The Austin Police Division has recognized the suspect and the victims within the triple murder exterior a North Austin Goal.
Identities of victims in Austin Goal capturing
APD says the victims within the capturing have been 24-year-old Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 65-year-old Adam Chow and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter.
The suspect has been recognized as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker.
FOX 7 Austin CrimeWatch reporter Meredith Aldis says that Nieneker has a historical past of assault household violence, legal mischief, DWI and possession.
Officers had beforehand stated that the suspect had a historical past of psychological well being points with APD saying that he “does have a rap sheet with us.”
Nieneker has been charged with two counts of capital homicide for the 4-year-old granddaughter and for Chow. He has additionally been charged with first-degree felony homicide for Martinez Machuca.
“What occurred yesterday was an unprovoked and deliberate act of violence. Harmless lives have been taken in broad daylight in a spot the place folks ought to really feel protected to run their on a regular basis errands and to reside their on a regular basis lives,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated.
FOX 7 Austin requested police what Nieneker’s motive was.
“He stated that he was Jesus and there was actually no motive in any way given. It was a very random selecting of the victims,” Sgt. Nathan Sexton stated.
Austin Goal capturing: What occurred?
Timeline:
Austin police say that on August 11 at round 2:15 p.m., officers responded to calls of a number of shootings on the Goal situated at 8601 Analysis Boulevard.
Officers arrived and located Martinez Machuca within the parking zone. Martinez Machuca was taken to the hospital the place he died from his accidents.
Chow, his spouse and their 4-year-old granddaughter have been additionally situated within the parking zone.
APD says Chow and his granddaughter have been pronounced lifeless on the scene. Chow’s spouse suffered solely minor accidents.
Police say that the investigation discovered that Nieneker randomly attacked Martinez Machuca, who was a Goal worker, within the parking zone.
Nieneker shot and killed Martinez Machuca whereas Martinez Machuca was accumulating buying carts. Nieneker then ran to a black Jeep Cherokee and commenced firing because the Jeep tried to evade the gunfire.
Police say Nieneker then ran as much as a grey Toyota 4-Runner the place he shot Chow as he sat within the driver seat. He then fired into the backseat, placing Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter.
Chow’s spouse carried their granddaughter from the automobile and Nieneker pushed her from the automobile. Nieneker then drove the Toyota from the parking zone at a excessive charge of velocity.
At roughly 2:20 p.m. Nieneker discovered a water truck parked alongside the 7800 block of Mopac Expressway. He opened the driving force’s door and repeatedly assaulted the driving force earlier than pushing him out of the automobile.
Nieneker tried to place the truck into drive however was unable to. He then jumped out of the truck and chased a male with a pistol in his hand earlier than operating again to the stolen 4-Runner and drove off.
At roughly 2:25 p.m., APD acquired the decision of a multiple-vehicle crash because the stolen 4-Runner crashed right into a Volkswagen earlier than touchdown on high of an Infiniti SUV. Nieneker exited the automobile and went over to the Volkswagen, opened the door and repeatedly assaulted the feminine driver of the Volkswagen. He pushed the feminine driver of the Volkswagen out after which drove off.
At 2:34 p.m., a suspect matching Nieneker’s description exited the stolen Volkswagen and went as much as a Waymo automobile and tried to interrupt into it. This failed and Nieneker returned to the stolen Volkswagen and drove away.
At 2:37 p.m., an acquaintance identified to Nieneker by means of bible research reported that Nieneker had thrown a brick by means of his residence within the 2100 block of La Casa Drive.
At 2:58 p.m., APD acquired the decision of a unadorned male strolling by means of a yard within the 2400 block of La Casa Drive. Nieneker was noticed operating right into a “porta potty” after which leaving on foot.
Officers situated Nieneker strolling bare on Montclaire Road.
Nieneker was issued instructions, didn’t comply, was tased and brought into custody at 3:06 p.m. Officers checked the world, and the matching suspect clothes beforehand captured surveillance was situated within the “porta potty”.
What you are able to do:
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What they’re saying:
A Goal spokesperson offered a press release to FOX 7 Austin following the capturing, saying:
“We’re devastated by the violence that occurred immediately at our retailer in Austin, Texas. Our hearts are with the households and family members of those that misplaced their lives, our crew in Austin and all these impacted by this tragedy. We’re working with regulation enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the primary responders who acted rapidly on the scene. Within the days forward, we’ll proceed partnering with regulation enforcement and can be offering assist assets, together with grief counseling, to our crew.”
The Travis County District Legal professional’s Workplace launched the next assertion:
“We’re heartbroken for the victims of those mindless acts of violence. We’re grateful to our companions on the Austin Police Division for his or her fast work to apprehend the suspect and forestall additional violence. We sit up for working with them to serve justice for the victims and our neighborhood.”
Extra on Goal capturing suspect
Dig deeper:
APD says he had two earlier psychological well being experiences with them.
“This man had some critical points. I take into consideration the programs that failed in a method as we transfer ahead, we’re taking a look at this background,” Davis stated.
Court docket information present a prolonged legal historical past in each Travis and Williamson Counties.
In Travis County in 2016, he was charged with assault of a member of the family, legal mischief, and violating a protecting order. He had a DWI in 2017. He was charged with one other assault in 2019 the place he was accused of punching his roommate. That case was dismissed as a result of prosecutors have been unable to find the sufferer.
The opposite prices have been both diminished or he served at most a number of months in jail.
In Williamson County, he was charged with marijuana possession in 2011. In 2015, he had a case of DWI and considered one of legal mischief, the place he was intoxicated and broke furnishings, partitions, mirrors, doorways, and spilled his blood throughout a house, inflicting about $140,000 value of harm. That resulted in probation.
He additionally had two household violence assault prices, accused of punching and hitting his girlfriend’s head towards the wall. These have been later dismissed.
The Supply: Data from Austin Police Division and former reporting.
