A Texas man has been arrested after killing three people at a Target in a random barrage of gunfire, according to Lone Star State police.
Ethan Nieneker, 32, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, capital murder by terror threat, and capital murder of a person under the age of ten, according to Travis County court records.
The shooting killed Rosa Machuca, 24, Adam Chow, 65, and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Austin Police Department. Chow’s wife suffered minor injuries.
According to law enforcement, the defendant would later confess in a series of shocking statements about himself and the violence.
“I have a confession to make,” Nieneker allegedly told police, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Austin Fox affiliate KTBC and NBC affiliate KXAN. “Today, I killed a man and a baby girl. In Target. In Target’s parking lot. “I shot them both because I am Jesus.”
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told ABC affiliate KVUE that the defendant has a history of mental health issues.
Davis acknowledged that Nieneker’s long history of domestic violence allegations (at least four dating back to 2015 in various Hill Country counties) should have raised red flags.
“This man had some serious issues,” the police chief said during a press conference on Tuesday, according to local NPR affiliate KUT. “There were some serious failures here on behalf of, you know, many, when you’re looking at potentially some mental illness there.”
According to police, the defendant stated that he did not have a mental health diagnosis, had not used drugs in the previous week, and had not consumed alcohol in the previous year. However, he allegedly continued to explain why the violence occurred.
“I realized I was Jesus, and I had to grab my gun and shoot a couple of people to save us all,” Nieneker explained, according to the affidavit. “I killed these people out of love, not hatred… I realized I needed to kill a few people to free everyone, so I did. It was simply random, I suppose. It was as if I was simply trying to get anyone I could.
The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. on Monday at the Target on Research Boulevard in the capital’s northern area.
Following the carnage, Nieneker was apprehended approximately an hour later on Montclaire Street, about 25 miles south, after fleeing in one stolen car, wrecking it, and then stealing another, according to police.
Police allege that the defendant “repeatedly assaulted” other drivers while committing auto thefts. He also allegedly attempted to steal a municipal water truck and a Waymo driverless car, but failed.
Later, law enforcement received two calls in quick succession, allowing investigators to pinpoint the defendant’s location. One person reported that Nieneker, whom they knew through Bible study, had thrown a brick through their window on La Casa Drive. Then someone else reported seeing a naked man using a porta-potty on La Casa Drive.
The defendant was found naked just down the street, but he refused to obey officers’ commands, police said. After being tased, he was arrested and allegedly confessed to the crimes.
But first, he allegedly vacillated, initially claiming he had no control over his emotions or body but later telling police, “I was in control,” according to the affidavit. Nieneker also claimed that the gun used in the slayings was given to him by a family member.
“Ethan admitted he knew the difference between right and wrong,” the affidavit states. “Ethan admitted everything he did was wrong.”
The defendant is currently detained at the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $2.5 million bond. He has also been ordered to have a mental evaluation and is currently under mental health supervision. Nieneker is next scheduled to appear in court on August 29.
