Austin police are investigating a series of shootings that took place on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Target parking lot located at 8601 Research Boulevard Northbound. Officers responded to reports of multiple shootings at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers found Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca in the parking lot. He was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m. Police also discovered Adam Chow, his wife, and their four-year-old granddaughter. Adam Chow and his granddaughter were pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Chow’s wife sustained minor injuries.
According to Austin Police Department investigators, Ethan Nieneker randomly attacked Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca while he was collecting shopping carts in the parking lot. “Nieneker then ran to a black Jeep Cherokee and began firing as the Jeep attempted to evade the gunfire,” APD stated in its report. “Nieneker then ran up to a gray Toyota 4-Runner where he shot Mr. Chow as he sat in the driver seat. He then fired into the backseat, striking the 4-year-old granddaughter.” Police say Mr. Chow’s wife carried their granddaughter from the vehicle before Nieneker pushed her away and drove off with the Toyota.
Shortly after, Nieneker allegedly approached a water truck parked along Mopac Expressway, assaulted its driver, but failed to drive away with it before returning to the stolen Toyota and fleeing again.
At around 2:25 p.m., police received reports of a crash involving multiple vehicles after Nieneker crashed into another car before landing on top of an SUV. He is accused of assaulting another female driver before taking her Volkswagen and leaving.
A few minutes later, Nieneker reportedly tried unsuccessfully to break into a Waymo vehicle before driving off again in the Volkswagen.
By 2:37 p.m., an acquaintance reported that Nieneker had thrown a brick through his residence window on La Casa Drive.
At approximately 2:58 p.m., calls came in about a naked man walking through backyards nearby; officers found Nieneker hiding inside a portable toilet before he left on foot. Police apprehended him on Montclaire Street after using a taser when he did not comply with commands.
“The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour,” according to Austin Police Department officials.
Nieneker has been charged with two counts of capital murder for killing Adam Chow and his four-year-old granddaughter as well as first-degree felony murder for killing Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have photos or videos related to this incident or any other potential evidence to submit them online or by scanning an available QR code provided by authorities.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers (https://austincrimestoppers.org/) or by calling (512) 472-8477; tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward.
This case marks Austin’s thirty-ninth, fortieth and forty-first homicide investigations for this year.
