Austin Target Shooter Had Extensive Criminal Record

A Tragic Event and the Criminal History of the Suspect

A man accused of killing three people in a Target parking lot in Austin has a long history of criminal activity that dates back to 2011. The suspect, Ethan Neineker, is currently facing charges including two counts of capital murder and one count of first-degree felony murder. Legal experts believe an insanity plea might be the only viable defense for him, and the final charges will ultimately be decided by a grand jury.

The Incident That Changed Lives

One week ago, a tragic event unfolded at the Target store on Research Boulevard near Ohlen Road. On that fateful day, 32-year-old Ethan Neineker allegedly killed 64-year-old Adam Chow, his 4-year-old granddaughter, and 24-year-old employee Rosa Machuca in the parking lot. The incident was described as random, though it left the community in shock and mourning.

After carjacking a vehicle and attempting to carjack several others, Neineker was arrested in South Austin. He is now being held in the Travis County Jail and faces multiple murder charges. However, legal experts suggest he could potentially face even more charges depending on the findings of the grand jury.

What the Police Say

Austin Police Department’s Chief, Lisa Davis, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that there are no words to truly capture the grief experienced by the families involved or the shock felt by the community. When asked why he committed the act, Neineker reportedly claimed he was "Jesus."

Police also confirmed that Neineker has two prior mental health reports with the department, raising questions about his state of mind during the incident.

A History of Legal Troubles

Court records reveal that Neineker has a long history of legal issues dating back to 2011. In Travis County in 2016, he was charged with assault of a family member, criminal mischief, and violating a protective order. A year later, he faced a DWI charge and another assault in 2019, where he was accused of punching his roommate. That case was dismissed because prosecutors could not locate the victim.

Other charges were either reduced or resulted in short jail sentences. In Williamson County, he was charged with marijuana possession in 2011. In 2015, he was charged with DWI and criminal mischief after causing significant damage to property while intoxicated, which led to probation.

Neineker also had two family violence assault charges related to incidents involving his girlfriend, but those were eventually dismissed.

Legal Perspectives on the Case

Criminal lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal, who is not directly involved in the case, shared his insights on the charges against Neineker. He expressed surprise that the suspect is not being charged with three counts of capital murder. According to Rosenthal, first-degree murder typically involves premeditated intent to take someone's life, while capital murder includes additional factors such as the age of the victim or the presence of other felonies.

Rosenthal pointed out that each of the victims could potentially qualify for capital murder charges, as they may all be part of the same criminal episode. However, he emphasized that the only possible defense available in this case would be an insanity plea.

"When you look at the overall facts of this case, the defenses that are available to this young man, I don't think he can deny doing it. I don't think he could deny a lot of the circumstances. Really, the only defense available to him here would be a not guilty by reason of insanity," said Rosenthal.

He added that while there are indications of a break with reality, whether that is enough under Texas law remains to be seen. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the grand jury, which will determine the final charges against Neineker.