4-Year-Old Girl, Grandfather, and Employee Gunned Down in Broad Daylight Rampage

A sunny Monday afternoon at a suburban Target turned into a scene of unimaginable horror when a 4-year-old girl, her grandfather, and a store employee were gunned down in what police are calling an “unprovoked and deliberate attack” by a man who claimed to be Jesus.

Authorities say the shooter, identified as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker, first targeted Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, a 28-year-old Target worker collecting carts in the parking lot. Without warning, Nieneker allegedly shot Machuca dead.

Moments later, police say, he approached a family vehicle and opened fire on 4-year-old Astrid Chow and her 64-year-old grandfather, Adam Chow, killing both. Adam’s wife was also hit, but survived with minor injuries. Nieneker then allegedly stole their car and sped away.

“This was a calculated act against innocent people in broad daylight,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told reporters. “There is no excuse. No motive that makes sense. This man had serious issues, and there were serious failures here.”

The Chow family released a heart-wrenching statement describing Astrid as “pure silliness and joy” who loved “singing, dancing, and making us laugh.” They called Adam the “steady backbone of our family” and said they are “broken” beyond words. Astrid lovingly called her grandfather “GongGong.”

Police say Nieneker’s rampage didn’t end at Target. After fleeing in the stolen Chow family car, he allegedly caused multiple crashes, assaulted a female driver to steal her Volkswagen, attempted to break into a self-driving Waymo car, and vandalized a home belonging to an acquaintance from Bible study.

When officers finally caught up to him, Nieneker was reportedly naked. They used a Taser to subdue him.

According to Chief Davis, Nieneker had a history of violent and erratic behavior, including arrests for assault and DWI, as well as documented mental health concerns. “This man had some serious issues,” Davis said, without elaborating on his medical history. Police say the murder weapon was obtained “through family.”

Nieneker now faces two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder. He remains in custody.

Target issued a statement calling the incident “devastating” and said grief counselors will be available to staff. “Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin, and all impacted by this tragedy,” the statement read.