On Monday afternoon, chaos erupted in north Austin when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of a Target store located at 8601 Research Boulevard. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Ethan Blaine Nieneker, left three people dead and one child injured in a horrifying act of violence that has shaken the community.
**The Attack Unfolds
At approximately 2:15 p.m., the first 911 call reported gunshots outside the store. By 2:19 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers arrived to find four victims. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third succumbed to injuries en route to the hospital. The fourth victim, a child, survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses described a scene of panic and confusion. Freyen Sagastume, a Target employee, recounted hearing “shots fired” over the radio and immediately helping customers flee. “I thought this only happened in the news,” she said, visibly shaken.
♂️ **The Suspect: A Violent Past
Nieneker, described as a white male wearing khaki shorts and a Hawaiian-style shirt, was already known to law enforcement. His criminal record spans over a decade, including arrests for assaulting a family member, driving under the influence, criminal mischief, and violating protective orders. Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that Nieneker also has documented mental health issues.
**Carjacking and Pursuit
After the shooting, Nieneker carjacked a vehicle from the parking lot—believed to belong to one of the victims—and fled the scene. He crashed the stolen car shortly after and hijacked another vehicle from a nearby Volkswagen dealership. What followed was an 18-mile police pursuit through Austin, ending on La Costa Drive in the south of the city.
Officers deployed a Taser to subdue Nieneker, who was taken into custody without further gunfire. Charges are pending as investigators continue to piece together the motive behind the attack.
**Aftermath and Community Response
The Target parking lot remains closed as authorities process the crime scene. Roads in the vicinity, including the 8000 block of MoPac Southbound Frontage Road, are shut down, and police have urged the public to avoid the area.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his condolences, calling the incident “a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.” He praised the swift response of APD officers and first responders.
Meanwhile, Target has announced it will provide counseling services to employees affected by the tragedy. At nearby businesses like Jiffy Lube, staff locked doors and took cover during the shooting. Mechanic Paul Smith described seeing people abandon their cars and run in terror.
**Call for Information
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact APD or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. As the investigation continues, the city mourns the lives lost and grapples with the trauma of yet another senseless act of violence.
