On Monday, August 11, a shooting shocked customers at the Target retail store located in Austin, Texas. During the attack, three people died, including a child. The attacker, identified as Ethan Nieneker, was arrested and, according to the police, this is not the first time he has faced legal troubles. Here is what we know about him.
Who is Ethan Nieneker, the Target shooter in Austin?
After the attack, Nieneker stole a vehicle that was in the store’s parking lot and fled the scene; however, he later crashed it, so he stole another one to continue his escape. The gunman was pursued by the police and caught about 30 kilometers from the crime scene.
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According to information from the Austin Police Department, Ethan Nieneker is 32 years old and was held in a Travis County jail, where he faces capital murder charges for terrorist threat, capital murder of a person under 10 years old, and first-degree murder.
Nieneker not only has a history of mental health issues but also previous criminal offenses. According to criminal records, this is his criminal history:
Williamson County:
- 2011: Marijuana possession – 2 days in jail
- 2015: Driving under the influence – 120 days in jail
- 2015: Criminal damage – probation later revoked
- 2015: Family assault
Travis County:
- 2016: Domestic violence assault – reduced to a misdemeanor
- 2016: Violation of protective order and property damage – 60 days in jail
- 2017: Second DUI conviction – 90 days in jail
- 2019: Domestic violence assault – case dismissed in 2022 due to “unable to locate the victim”
UPDATE: The suspect in yesterday’s triple homicide has been identified as Ethan Nieneker, White male, 32 years of age. pic.twitter.com/8fYjGGEuyq
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) August 12, 2025
On previous occasions, Nieneker was urgently admitted for psychiatric reasons because he was considered a danger to himself or others. So far, there is no confirmation whether he was receiving any therapy or medical follow-up at the time of the attack.
What sentence could Ethan Nieneker face after the Austin Target shooting?
Nieneker faces three serious charges: the murder of a child under 10 years old, a first-degree murder charge, and a murder committed during the commission of another serious crime. Under Texas law, these offenses can result in life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty.
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What happened at Target in Austin, Texas?
Lisa Davis, who leads the Austin Police Department, detailed that the alert about a shooting arrived around 2:15 p.m. local time, when a call reported shots fired in a Target store parking lot. Officers immediately headed to the scene to respond to the emergency.
Upon arrival, they found several people injured as a result of the attack. The attacker escaped in a vehicle but was closely followed by law enforcement. The chase extended into South Austin, where police finally managed to intercept the suspect. To stop him, they used a stun gun, the well-known taser, and arrested him around 3:34 p.m. During the arrest operation, no injuries were reported. Authorities continue to investigate the details of the incident.
Who are the victims of the Austin Target shooting?
So far, the Austin police have not revealed the identities of the victims of the shooting that took place in the Target store parking lot; they also have not indicated if any of them were connected to the attacker.
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