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
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.