Ethan Nieneker is facing seven charges, including capital murder of multiple persons and capital murder of a person under 10 years of age.

AUSTIN, Texas — One year after a shooting outside a North Austin Target killed three people, including a 4-year-old girl, the man accused in the case remains behind bars and is scheduled to return to court next week.

The victims were identified as 24-year-old Rosa Machuca, 65-year-old Adam Chow, and Chow’s 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid Chow. Austin police said the victims were selected at random.



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The shooting happened around 2:15 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2025, in the parking lot of the Target at 8601 Research Blvd. The violence prompted a large police response as investigators worked to identify the shooter.

Police later identified the suspect as Ethan Nieneker. According to APD, Nieneker assaulted multiple people, stole and crashed several vehicles while trying to flee the scene. Police arrested him in South Austin less than an hour after the shooting began.

Nieneker is facing seven charges, including capital murder of multiple persons and capital murder of a person under 10 years of age.

According to court records, Nieneker allegedly confessed to police and claimed he was Jesus.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis previously said Nieneker had a history of mental illness. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.


How a mental health evaluation could affect the case

The results of that evaluation could play a significant role in how the case proceeds.

Austin attorney Alfonso Hernandez told KVUE that Nieneker’s defense could request a competency hearing depending on the evaluation’s findings.

If a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial, the criminal proceedings are put on hold while the person undergoes treatment intended to restore competency. Hernandez said that process can take months or, in some cases, years.

The prosecution and defense also could disagree over whether Nieneker is competent to stand trial. If they do, Hernandez said, Nieneker would be entitled to a separate jury trial to determine competency before a jury considers the underlying criminal charges.


Remembering the victims

Machuca was a Target employee who was killed while at work. Her fiancée previously told KVUE that she had left school at the University of Texas at Austin to help financially support her family.

Adam Chow was remembered by his daughter, Monica Chow, as the heart and steady backbone of their family.

His granddaughter, Astrid, was 4 years old. Monica Chow previously described her daughter as “pure joy” and said she loved to laugh.


What’s next in the case?

According to Travis County court records, Nieneker is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Target told KVUE it did not have a remembrance event planned for Tuesday, but said its thoughts are with the victims.

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the active case.