Austin, Texas — Police have identified the suspect in Monday’s deadly shooting at a North Austin Target store as 33-year-old Ethan Nieneke, a man with a prior criminal history and documented mental health struggles. The attack, which unfolded in broad daylight, claimed three lives and triggered a massive law enforcement response across the city.
The Austin Police Department (APD) says the first emergency calls came in at 2:15 p.m. on August 11, reporting gunfire outside the Target store at 8601 Research Boulevard. Officers arrived within minutes to find three people suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene by Austin-Travis County EMS, and a third was rushed to the hospital but died shortly afterward.
“This is a very sad day for Austin,” Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a press briefing. “My condolences go out to the families of the victims.”
According to investigators, Nieneke fled the scene moments after the shooting, allegedly carjacking a vehicle in the Target parking lot. Police believe one of the shooting victims may have been the original driver of that stolen car. Nieneke crashed the vehicle about 1.5 miles away, in the parking lot of an apartment complex near MoPac and Anderson Lane.
From there, authorities say he hijacked another car from a nearby Volkswagen dealership before speeding toward South Austin. The manhunt came to an end at 3:34 p.m., when APD officers located Nieneke in the 2400 block of La Casa Drive. Officers deployed a Taser to subdue him and took him into custody without further gunfire.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. Chief Davis confirmed that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what led to the violence.
Target Corporation released a statement expressing grief and solidarity with the victims’ families:
“We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. 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 closely with law enforcement and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly. We will continue to provide support resources, including grief counseling, to our team members.”
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Austin Fire Department, Austin ISD Police, and EMS personnel. Police closed the 8000 block of the MoPac southbound frontage road between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane during the investigation. Vehicles belonging to non-witness customers and employees remain secured at the store while forensic teams process the area.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact APD’s Homicide Unit as the investigation continues.