TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A tragic shooting incident at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, resulted in three fatalities and seven injuries over the weekend. The 24-year-old suspect, identified as Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the police. The occurrence took place on Saturday, shortly after the restaurant's opening on July 24 as part of the California-based chain's expansion into Idaho.
Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated in a news conference that investigators believe Williams acted alone. He emphasized that the rapid response from an off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen helped divert the gunman, potentially preventing further casualties. “We want to commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen, and their heroic action to stop this incident,” Hicks remarked.
The shooting led to the death of an In-N-Out employee, who was among the victims. Lynsi Snyder, the owner of In-N-Out, expressed her grief in a statement on social media, saying, “My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed. We lost one of our beautiful associates tonight.” Snyder conveyed that the company would mourn alongside the families affected by this tragic event.
Authorities reported that two of the injured individuals were treated and released from the hospital, while three persons remain in stable condition, and two others are critical. The local FBI office has urged the public to submit any images or videos related to the incident, as an investigation is underway to ascertain Williams' motives. Detectives are collaborating with the suspect's family, who are fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. Lane Koehn, a bystander, recounted seeing a person with an AR-style rifle at the drive-thru. Another individual, armed with a pistol, began firing back at the shooter. Koehn observed an In-N-Out employee dragging a colleague to safety after she sustained a gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 2 p.m., during a busy lunch hour, causing panic among customers and staff.
Haley Dodaro, who was at the drive-thru with her mother when the gunfire erupted, initially believed there was a fire. However, upon learning about the shooter from a traffic controller, she witnessed people fleeing the scene in distress. Her description highlighted the fear and urgency that surrounded the situation, stating, “It was very scary.”
Another eyewitness, Nayeli Rodriguez, was waiting for her order with her daughters when the shooting began. An employee alerted patrons to take cover, which prompted an older man to protect her family as they attempted to escape. Rodriguez emphasized the frightening experience and the kindness of strangers who offered them refuge in their vehicle as they fled the scene.
As police worked tirelessly to gather witness statements and analyze evidence, they found the suspected gunman’s body nearby. Twin Falls, with a population of approximately 56,000, is located about 130 miles southeast of Boise and approximately 75 miles north of the Nevada border. The investigation continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing event.
