Liputan6.com, Jakarta Austin, Texas, was rocked by a fatal shooting on Monday afternoon, August 11, 2025.
The tragic incident occurred in a Target store parking lot in North Austin, killing three people and injuring another, as reported by ABC.
Police received an emergency call at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time with reports of a targeted shooting and arrived on the scene within four minutes.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis declared it a "very sad day for Austin" and offered condolences to the victims' families.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also condemned the incident as a "disgusting and cowardly act of gun violence," affirming the city's commitment to supporting the victims and their families.
“This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families,” Kirk Watson, Austin’s mayor, said in a social media post.
“While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.”
Incident Details, Updates, and Victims
This deadly target shooting incident occurred in the parking lot of a Target store located at 8601 Research Boulevard in North Austin, a busy commercial area.
Three people were pronounced dead in the tragic incident, adding to the long list of gun violence victims in the United States.
Two victims were found dead at the scene, indicating the brutality of the attack.
Meanwhile, the third victim died after being rushed to the hospital.
Initial information indicates that one of the victims who died at the scene was a child, while the other two were adults
In addition to the deceased, a fourth person was treated at the scene for injuries not directly related to the shooting.
Austin-Travis County EMS had initially reported four victims, but that number was later corrected.
Identity and Arrest of Shooting Suspect
The perpetrator, identified as a 32-year-old male named Ethan Blaine Nieneker, now faces serious charges for his actions.
According to Police Chief Lisa Davis, the suspect had a history of significant mental health issues and a lengthy criminal record with the police department.
He had even been placed on emergency detention at a psychiatric facility before.
After committing the crime, the suspect exhibited erratic behavior.
He fled the scene by stealing a vehicle, which he then crashed.
He then hijacked a second car from a Volkswagen dealership in an attempt to escape police pursuit.
The suspect was finally apprehended in South Austin after being subdued with a Taser by responding officers.
Although the suspect has been apprehended, the motive behind this tragic shooting remains unknown and remains a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
Official Statement
An Austin-Travis county emergency services spokesperson said first responders treated one person for unrelated injuries.
“This is a very sad day for Austin. It’s a very sad day for us all and my condolences go out to the families,” she said.
No information has been released about the victims and no motive has been identified.
The shooting came amid back-to-school shopping ahead of the upcoming school year.
“We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas,” a spokesperson for Target Corporate said in an emailed statement issued to the Guardian.
The company added that they are working with law enforcement to support their investigation and will also provide grief counseling and other resources to employees.
“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.”
"I am grateful for the quick response of our APD officers and other first responders and want to thank them for their actions to apprehend the suspect," the Mayor wrote on X.