Crime
Austin Target shooting suspect identified as 32-year-old Ethan Nieneker
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Authorities have identified 32-year-old Ethan Blaine Nieneker as the suspect in a deadly shooting that left three people dead and one injured, including a child, at a Target parking lot in north Austin on Monday afternoon.
Nieneker, described by police as a dangerous habitual offender with a prior criminal history in Texas, was taken into custody following a multi-vehicle carjacking spree and a police pursuit.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the first 911 call reporting the shooting came in at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Officers arrived at the Target located at 8601 Research Boulevard by 2:19 p.m., where they discovered four victims who had been shot in the store’s parking lot.
Three of those victims — whose names and ages have not yet been released — were pronounced dead at the scene.
The fourth victim, a child, sustained injuries but survived.
Police said Nieneker, described as a white male wearing khaki shorts and a Hawaiian-style shirt, opened fire on shoppers before carjacking a vehicle in the parking lot.
One of the victims is believed to have been the vehicle’s owner.
After fleeing the scene, Nieneker crashed the stolen car and then hijacked a second vehicle from a Volkswagen dealership.
The suspect led officers on a pursuit spanning approximately 18 miles before being intercepted by police on La Costa Drive, in south Austin.
Officers deployed a Taser to subdue Nieneker, who was taken into custody without further gunfire.
APD Chief Lisa Davis confirmed in a late-afternoon press briefing that the suspect’s motive remains under investigation but noted he was already known to police and had documented mental health concerns.
She also emphasized that charges against him are pending.
Due to the ongoing investigation, vehicles parked at the Target remain inaccessible until crime scene processing is complete.
Police have urged the public to avoid the area, citing road closures in the 8000 block of MoPac Southbound Frontage Road between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane.
Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact APD or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.