Police identify suspect in Austin Target shooting that left 3 people dead

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The man suspected of killing three people, including a child, in a Monday shooting outside a Target in Austin, Texas, was identified as Ethan Nieneker, police said.

Austin police shared Nieneker's mug shot in a Tuesday post on X, where the 32-year-old is seen with bruises and blood on his face.

The shooting unfolded around 2:15 p.m. in the store’s parking lot. Officers found three people who had been shot. Their identities have not been revealed.

Nieneker was arrested in South Austin after allegedly stealing a car and fleeing the scene. He faces charges of capital murder and first-degree murder.

Image: Shooting At Target Store In Austin Leaves 3 Dead (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
Investigators search the grounds of a Target store on Aug. 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

Authorities allege he stole a vehicle from the parking lot of Target, crashed that car, and then stole another one. Police Chief Lisa Davis said Monday that Nieneker has a history of mental health issues, but did not reveal any details.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

"This is a very sad day for Austin," Davis said at a news conference.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said it was a “devastating situation” and his “heart is with the victims and their families.”

“While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence,” he said in a post on X.

Nieneker's family declined to comment on Tuesday. It's not clear if he has obtained an attorney.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

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