August in Texas is usually about the heat. You expect the shimmering asphalt and the hum of air conditioners, not the kind of news that stops a city in its tracks. But on August 11, 2025, a regular Monday afternoon at a Target in North Austin turned into a nightmare. Most people visiting the Gateway shopping center were just running errands, grabbing groceries, or killing time. Adam Chow and Astrid Fung were there too. They were in their car, a Toyota 4Runner, along with Adam's wife, Doris. They weren't looking for trouble. They were just a family being a family.
Then the world broke.
A random, violent spree took the lives of 65-year-old Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid Fung. It’s the kind of story that feels impossible to process because it’s so senseless. There was no motive. No prior connection. Just a series of events that left a community grieving and a family shattered. Honestly, when you hear about these things on the news, they feel like distant statistics. But when you look at the names—Adam and Astrid—you start to see the people behind the headlines.
What Happened to Adam Chow and Astrid Fung?
The details coming out of the Austin Police Department are chilling. The suspect, a 32-year-old man named Ethan Nieneker, began a rampage in the Target parking lot at 8601 Research Boulevard. He didn't start with the Chow family. His first victim was Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, a 24-year-old Target employee who was just doing his job, collecting shopping carts.
After shooting Hector, Nieneker reportedly targeted a Jeep that managed to get away. That’s when he turned his attention to the Chows' 4Runner.
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Adam Chow was in the driver’s seat. Astrid Fung was in the back.
Police say Nieneker ran up to the vehicle and opened fire, hitting Adam first and then firing into the backseat where little Astrid was sitting. It’s hard to even type that. Doris, Adam’s wife, survived with minor injuries, but she had to carry her granddaughter out of the SUV while the gunman forced her out of the way and stole their car.
The chaos didn't end there. Nieneker led police on a chase, crashing the 4Runner, attempting to steal a water truck, and eventually assaulting another driver before being caught in South Austin. When the police finally tackled him, he was naked.
A Family Remembered
So, who were they? Beyond the police reports and the "victim" labels?
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Adam Chow was 65. He was a husband, a father, and clearly a devoted grandfather. You don't take your 4-year-old granddaughter out on a Monday afternoon unless you're the kind of guy who wants to be present. Friends and neighbors have described the family as tight-knit.
Astrid Fung was only four. Think about that for a second. At four, your whole world is preschool, favorite toys, and the people who love you. Her teachers and classmates described her as a "light." She was the kid who brought laughter to the room.
A GoFundMe organized for the family—which has been verified by major news outlets—paints a picture of a child who was deeply loved by everyone who had the "privilege of knowing her." It’s a small comfort, maybe, but the outpouring of support from the Austin community shows how much this tragedy resonated. People who never met Adam or Astrid felt the weight of their loss.
The Aftermath and the Justice System
Whenever something this horrific happens, the first question everyone asks is: Why?
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Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis was pretty blunt about it. She called it a "very sad day for Austin." Preliminary investigations suggested the suspect had a history of mental health issues. Nieneker is now facing multiple counts of capital murder. As of early 2026, the legal proceedings are moving forward, with the suspect being held on a multi-million dollar bond.
Community Impact
- Target's Response: The company provided grief counseling for its employees, especially since one of their own was killed alongside the Chow family.
- Mental Health Conversations: This event reignited fierce debates in Austin about how the city handles individuals with extensive criminal histories and known mental health struggles.
- Public Safety: People are looking at parking lot security differently. It’s a sad reality that a routine trip to a big-box store now carries this kind of mental weight for local residents.
There's no making sense of what happened to Adam Chow and Astrid Fung. It was a random act of violence in a place that should have been safe. But in the wake of the tragedy, the focus has shifted toward supporting Doris and the rest of the family.
How to Support and Stay Informed
If you're looking for ways to help or want to stay updated on the legal proceedings, here’s the most direct path forward.
- Verified Memorial Funds: Look for the "Chow Fung Family" fundraiser on GoFundMe. These funds go directly toward funeral costs and supporting Doris as she navigates life after such a traumatic loss.
- Follow Local News Closely: KUT (Austin’s NPR station) and the Austin American-Statesman have provided the most consistent, factual reporting on the court cases following the August 2025 events.
- Advocacy: If the mental health aspect of this story bothers you, look into local Austin organizations like NAMI Central Texas. They work on the systemic issues that often sit in the background of these tragedies.
The story of Adam Chow and Astrid Fung isn't just a news cycle. It's a reminder of the fragility of a normal Monday and the importance of holding onto the people who "bring light" to our lives, just as Astrid did for hers.