Suspect in Texas Target shooting had 'lengthy criminal history': Police

(NewsNation) — Police have arrested a suspect in Monday's shooting at a Target store in Austin, Texas, that left two adults and a child dead.

Ethan Nieneker, 32, is accused of opening fire in the parking lot before stealing two cars during a getaway attempt.

The victims of the shooting were later identified as 24-year-old Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, 65-year-old Adam Chow and Chow's four-year-old granddaughter.

Records related to Nieneker show a 2017 conviction on a felony charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, NewsNation affiliate KXAN reported.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis previously said the suspect had “a mental health history.”

Police say suspect randomly targeted victims

In a news conference Tuesday, Austin PD Homicide Sergeant Nathan Sexton said officers responded to calls of multiple shootings at the store where they first found Martinez Machuca in the parking lot. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead there. They then found Chow and his granddaughter, who were both pronounced dead at the scene. Chow's wife had minor injuries.

Sexton said that Nieneker randomly attacked Martinez Machuca as he was collecting shopping carts, and then attacked the Chows before stealing their car.

He said Nieneker then fled the scene with the stolen car and attempted to steal a water truck and stole a different vehicle after he failed to run off with the truck. After crashing the second stolen vehicle, he stole another person's vehicle and later attempted to break into a Waymo vehicle.

Police later received a call from a friend of Nieneker's through bible study that he had thrown a brick through the window of his home before running off. Nieneker was later found running naked before he was tased and taken into police custody.

Officers later found clothes that matched the ones Nieneker was described as wearing in a portable toilet.

Target said in a statement it was “devastated” by the incident, and that it would be providing grief counseling to its team.

“Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy,” the statement said.

Nieneker has been charged with two counts of Capital Murder for Chow and his granddaughter. He has also been charged for the First-Degree Felony Murder of Martinez Machuca. Police also said that additional charges are pending.

APD is asking for anyone who may have photos, video or other potential evidence to contact the department's tip line at 512-974-TIPS, or by submitting a tip anonymously at austincrimestoppers.org or calling them at 512-472-8477.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.