Suspect in North Austin Target shooting has a lengthy criminal history
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Ethan Nieneker, Austin Target shooting suspect, has lengthy criminal history
Ethan Nieneker is accused of shooting and killing three people, including a child under the age of 10, in a Target parking lot in North Austin on Monday. Court records show 32-year-old has been arrested several times over the past 13 years, prior to his arrest Monday afternoon in South Austin. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Nienker has a history of mental health issues. He was arrested and convicted in Williamson County for misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2012 and for both misdemeanor DWI and felony Criminal Mischief in 2015.
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Ethan Nieneker is accused of shooting and killing three people, including a child under the age of 10, in a Target parking lot in North Austin on Monday.
AUSTIN, Texas — The man accused of shooting and killing three people, including a child, at a North Austin Target on Monday has a lengthy criminal history.
Court records show 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker has been arrested several times over the past 13 years, prior to his arrest Monday afternoon in South Austin. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Nieneker has a history of mental health issues.
Records show Nieneker was arrested and convicted in Williamson County for misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2012 and for both misdemeanor DWI and felony Criminal Mischief in 2015. The same year, he also faced charges of misdemeanor Assault Causing Bodily Injury – Family Violence in Williamson County.
In 2016, in Travis County, Neineker was arrested and convicted of Felony Assault – Family Violence after he allegedly assaulted a girlfriend. The case was original deferred, but after another alleged assault, he was convicted. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail plus probation.
Also in 2016, a misdemeanor Criminal Mischief charge was dismissed against Neineker in Travis County. That same year, he was also arrested and convicted of felony Violation of a Bond/Protective Order.
In 2017, Neineker was arrested and convicted in Travis County for a second misdemeanor DWI. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
In 2019, Neineker was arrested for Felony Assault – Family Violence in Travis County after he allegedly punched a roommate in the face. However, that case was later dismissed.
What happened at the Target?
Davis said a call came in around 2:15 p.m. Monday of a shooting at a Target at 8601 Research Blvd., near Ohlen Road, in North Austin. Officers arrived on the scene shortly after.
Davis said the suspect, now identified as Nieneker, drove away from the Target in a stolen car, then wrecked that car and stole another. He was later taken into custody in South Austin after a Taser was used.
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said two of the victims died in the parking lot and the third died at a hospital. A fourth person was treated on the scene for unrelated injuries.