Texas ‘Maniac’ Leaves 3 Dead After Storming Target Parking Lot in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker, described by the New York Post as a "maniac," was arrested after opening fire in the Target parking lot, killing three, before taking police on a dramatic chase involving two different stolen vehicles on Monday.

What We Know About Ethan Nieneker

Nieneker is accused of gunning down his victims Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Target store in Austin, Texas. This is not his first run-in with law enforcement. He's got a lengthy history of criminal activity. His prior arrest records show he's been in trouble for family violence, criminal mischief, assault, possession, and DWI, in Travis and Williamson counties.

It seems as though he was a ticking time bomb.

What Happened on Monday?

Nieneker allegedly "stormed the parking lot" of a North Austin Target around 2:15 pm on Monday, August 11th, where he killed three people, including a child, and injured a 4th person who was treated for their injuries on the scene.

He fled in one of his victims' vehicles, leading police on a chase. He crashed the car and then stole another one from a Volkswagen dealership. He was eventually captured and taken into custody roughly 20 miles away from where the shooting occurred.

The victims' names have not yet been released.

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