Crime
Three victims killed in Austin Target shooting identified
AUSTIN, TEXAS — Authorities have released harrowing new details about a violent shooting rampage in north Austin that left three people dead, including a grandfather and his 4-year-old granddaughter, and one other person injured.
Police say the suspect, 32-year-old Ethan Blaine Nieneker, was arrested Monday afternoon following a chaotic series of shootings, carjackings, assaults, and erratic behavior that ended with him being subdued by officers using a Taser.
The victims have been identified as Héctor Leopoldo Martínez Machuca, 24, a Target employee; Adam Chow, 65; and his young granddaughter Astrid Fung.
Authorities allege that during the attack, Nieneker forced the little girl to watch him fatally shoot her grandfather before also killing her.
Chow’s wife was injured but survived.
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, the violence began at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Monday in the parking lot of the Target store at 8601 Research Boulevard.
Nieneker allegedly shot Machuca as the employee was retrieving shopping carts. Moments later, he fired at a black Jeep attempting to flee before turning his weapon on Chow’s gray Toyota 4Runner.
Police say Chow was shot in the driver’s seat before Nieneker fired into the back seat, striking his granddaughter.
Chow’s wife tried to carry the injured child to safety, but Nieneker allegedly pushed both of them out of the vehicle, took control of the SUV, and sped away.
At around 2:20 p.m., Nieneker approached a water truck stopped along the Mopac Expressway, allegedly assaulted its driver, and attempted to steal the vehicle.
Unable to operate it, he reportedly chased the driver away at gunpoint before returning to the Toyota.
Five minutes later, Nieneker crashed into a Volkswagen and an Infiniti SUV, then allegedly attacked the Volkswagen driver and stole their vehicle.
He drove off, attempted to carjack a self-driving Waymo vehicle, failed, and returned to the stolen Volkswagen.
The suspect’s rampage reportedly continued with property damage. A resident — identified as an acquaintance of Nieneker — claimed a brick was thrown through their window on La Casa Drive.
By 2:58 p.m., witnesses reported seeing Nieneker walking naked through a backyard in the same neighborhood. He then ran into a portable toilet before fleeing again.
Police confronted him minutes later, ordering him to surrender. When he refused, officers deployed Tasers and took him into custody at approximately 3:06 p.m.
Chief Davis confirmed that Nieneker has a documented history of mental illness and an extensive criminal record dating back to 2011.
Prior arrests include assaulting a family member, driving while intoxicated (twice), criminal mischief, and violating a protective order.
Officers arrived at the Target parking lot within four minutes of the initial 911 call. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third died at a local hospital.
A surviving victim, Chow’s wife, is receiving medical treatment.
Target issued a public statement expressing grief over the tragedy:
“We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. 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. We are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene and will continue providing support and grief counseling to our team members.”
The investigation remains active, and police have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Austin Police Department Homicide Detectives or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.