Authorities have identified the three victims killed in a tragic shooting outside a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday afternoon. The victims include a 4-year-old girl, her grandfather, and a Target employee.
According to Austin Police Sgt. Nathan Sexton, the suspect—identified as 32-year-old **Ethan Nieneker**—allegedly began his attack by shooting **Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca**, a Target employee who was collecting shopping carts in the store’s parking lot. The gunfire occurred in broad daylight, sending shoppers and staff scrambling for safety.
Police say Nieneker then targeted the 4-year-old girl and her grandfather, both of whom were in the area at the time. All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene despite the swift arrival of emergency responders.
The incident has left the Austin community in shock, with local residents expressing grief and outrage over the senseless violence. Target released a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and confirming that counseling and support resources are being made available to employees.
Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence from the scene to piece together the events leading up to the attack.
City officials have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement as they work to ensure justice for the victims and their loved ones. Vigils are already being planned to honor the lives lost, as the community struggles to come to terms with the devastating loss of a young child, her grandfather, and a valued store employee.
