The suspect in a shooting at a Texas Target that killed three people, including a child, has been photographed with a bloodied and bruised face after his arrest.
The deadly shooting unfolded Monday afternoon at a Target in North Austin during the back-to-school shopping season. Police raced to the scene to find three people shot in the parking lot of the store.
Two of the victims died in the parking lot, and a third was taken to the hospital for treatment and later pronounced dead.
Austin police identified the suspected shooter as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker on Tuesday.
The suspected shooter fled the scene in a stolen car, wrecked that car, then stole another car, authorities said. He was later taken into police custody in South Austin after an officer shot him with a Taser.
“This is a very sad day for Austin,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said in a press conference Monday afternoon. “This is a very sad day for us all.”
Amid the chaotic shooting, Target shoppers were evacuated by police to a nearby PetSmart, and officials warned the public to stay away from the area.
Cars in the Target parking lot were temporarily held as police investigated. As of 10 p.m. local time Monday, people whose cars were left in the parking lot were allowed to pick them up.
Who is Ethan Nieneker?
Chief Davis said the suspected shooter had a “mental health history” and a past “rap sheet” with Austin police.
What is his criminal history?
Local CBS affiliate KEYE reported, citing records, that Nieneker had at least six previous charges in Travis County and five more in nearby Williamson County.
His rap sheet includes several assaults causing bodily injury in family violence cases, criminal mischief, driving while intoxicated and violating a protective order, per KEYE.
The local outlet noted some of his previous charges resulted in jail time, while others were dismissed.
The Austin American-Statesman reported his most recent domestic assault charge from 2019 was dismissed after the victim could not be located, according to records.
What is his mental health history?
Nieneker had also previously been placed on emergency holds, per the Austin American-Statesman.
An emergency hold is an involuntary detention of a person in a mental health crisis who poses a risk to themselves or others.
What was his motive?
The motive for the shooting is still unclear.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wrote on X Monday evening, “This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families.
“While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.”
Where is he today?
Nieneker was booked into Travis County Jail on charges of capital murder by terror threat, capital murder of a person under 10 years of age and first-degree murder, according to multiple local outlets, which cited official records.
What has Target said about the shooting?
"We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas,” Target said in a statement shared with several outlets.
The retailer added: “Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy. We are working with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene.
“In the days ahead, we will continue partnering with law enforcement and will be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to our team.”
