August 11, 2025, started out like any other sweltering Monday in North Austin. Families were hitting the Target at 8601 Research Boulevard, likely grabbing last-minute school supplies or just trying to hide in the AC for a bit. Then, at 2:15 p.m., everything went sideways. It wasn’t a planned heist or a targeted hit. It was a random, violent spree that left the community reeling and forced us to look at the names of the Austin target shooting victims with a heavy heart.
Honestly, when you hear about these things, you expect some kind of motive. A grudge? A robbery? But the Austin Police Department (APD) quickly realized this was something else. This was a 45-minute nightmare fueled by what appeared to be a massive mental health breakdown.
Who Were the Austin Target Shooting Victims?
The names of the victims tell a story of everyday lives interrupted. They weren't just statistics. They were a young woman starting her life and a grandfather out with his family.
Rosa Martinez Machuca (also identified in records as Rosa Machuca-Osorio) was only 24. She was a Target employee doing a job most of us ignore: collecting shopping carts in the parking lot. Her fiancée, Kim Dang, later shared that Rosa was a transgender woman who had been her "sunshine" since middle school. She was the first person the gunman encountered. He shot her in the middle of her shift, and while she was rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m.
Then there was the family in the gray Toyota 4-Runner. Adam Chow, 65, was sitting in the driver's seat. His wife, Doris, was with him. So was their 4-year-old granddaughter, Astrid Fung.
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The gunman, later identified as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker, didn't stop after the first shooting. He ran up to the 4-Runner and opened fire. Adam Chow and little Astrid were killed right there in the car. Doris survived with minor injuries, but the trauma of watching her husband and granddaughter die in front of her is something no one should ever have to process.
The Chaos Following the Shooting
If you think it ended in the parking lot, you’d be wrong. After shooting the Chows, Nieneker literally pushed Doris out of the car and took off in their SUV.
- 2:20 p.m. – He ditched the SUV near Mopac and tried to hijack a water truck. He assaulted the driver but couldn't figure out how to drive the thing.
- 2:25 p.m. – He crashed the stolen 4-Runner into a Volkswagen, then jumped out and assaulted that driver, stealing her car too.
- 2:34 p.m. – He even tried to break into a Waymo (one of those self-driving taxis), but the doors were locked.
By the time the cops caught up to him, he was miles away in South Austin. They found him walking naked down Montclaire Street after he’d reportedly thrown a brick through the window of someone he knew from a Bible study. When he was finally tased and arrested, he allegedly told officers he was Jesus.
The Suspect and the System Failures
Ethan Nieneker wasn't a stranger to the law. That’s the part that really stings for the families of the Austin target shooting victims. He had a "rap sheet" that went back years. We're talking family violence, strangulation, DWI, and criminal mischief.
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Records from Travis and Williamson counties show a pattern of violent outbursts. In 2015, he allegedly caused over $140,000 in damages to a residence. He had been accused of punching and strangling girlfriends. Yet, he was out.
Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that the handgun used in the attack belonged to Nieneker’s family. Because of his criminal history, he shouldn't have been able to buy one himself. This brings up the messy, complicated conversation about "red flag" laws and how people with known histories of violence and mental instability keep ending up with weapons in their hands.
Remembering the Lives Lost
The community didn't just move on. GoFundMe pages for both the Machuca and Chow families saw a massive outpouring of support. Astrid was described by family friends as "pure silliness and joy." Adam Chow was the "steady backbone" of his family.
Rosa’s fiancée spoke about how proud she was of Rosa for transitioning and living as her true self, despite how scary the world can be. These were people with plans for dinner, plans for school, and plans for a future that was erased in a matter of seconds.
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Actionable Insights for Austin Residents
It feels weird to talk about "next steps" after something so heavy, but staying aware is basically all we can do in a city that’s growing this fast.
- Situational Awareness: It sounds like a "tough guy" trope, but in parking lots, keep your head up. Nieneker’s attack was described as "random" and "unprovoked." If you see someone acting erratically—like Nieneker was before the first shot—don't wait to see what happens. Get back inside or drive away.
- Support the Families: Organizations like the Capital Area Crime Stoppers and local victim advocacy groups often coordinate help for families dealing with the financial aftermath of sudden loss (funerals, medical bills).
- Mental Health Resources: If you know someone struggling with severe delusions or a history of violence, Austin has the Integral Care 24/7 crisis line (512-472-HELP). It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a tool.
- Legal Advocacy: Many locals are now pushing for stricter enforcement on how firearms are stored in homes where a family member has a known violent history. If you're looking to change things, contacting your local representative about "safe storage" or "red flag" loopholes is a concrete starting point.
The legal case against Nieneker is still grinding through the Travis County system. He faces two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder. While the court determines if he’s fit to stand trial, the city of Austin is left holding the memory of three people who were just trying to get through a Monday afternoon.
To stay updated on the trial or to find local support groups for victims of violent crime, you should check the official Austin Police Department news portal or local resources like KUT News, which has provided some of the most consistent coverage of the victims' legacies.