Arrest Made In Tragic North Austin Target Shooting Incident

The Austin Police Department has identified a suspect accused of shooting and killing three people in a Target parking lot in North Austin on Monday.

Suspect identified and arrested

The suspect has been identified as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker. According to the Austin Police Department (APD), Nieneker was arrested Monday in South Austin. APD Chief Lisa Davis has said Nieneker has a history of mental health issues. According to Travis County Jail records, Nieneker faces charges of Capital Murder by Terror Threat, Capital Murder of a Person Under 10 Years of Age and First Degree Murder.

Accident timeline

APD first received a call that a shooting was in progress at Target at around 2:15 p.m. Officers were immediately dispatched, the police said. Nieneker fled the scene after the shooting in a stolen car, crashed in that car, stole another car and was caught in South Austin after officers used a taser.

Victims and Scene Response

In reporting the incident, Austin Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said two of the victims died at the scene and a third victim died at the hospital. A fourth person was treated at the scene for injuries unrelated to the shooting. Due to the active crime scene investigation the scene had to be processed and area shoppers were not able to get their vehicles out of the parking lot until 10 p.m. on Monday.

Target Statement

In a statement following the shooting, Target expressed their sympathies for the families of the victims, their employees and all the people impacted by the shooting. The company explained it is cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to provide an active support for workers, including grief counseling for employees.

There will be a press conference for the public with more details at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Officials say the investigation is ongoing.