Three Killed in Twin Falls In-N-Out Shooting as Idaho Police Seek Motive
Authorities say a lone gunman killed three people and wounded seven at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger restaurant before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, killed three people and injured seven on Saturday afternoon, prompting a large police response in a busy commercial district.
The suspected gunman, identified by police as twenty-four-year-old Chad Williams, was later found dead near the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The attack began at about 2:29 p.m. local time on August 1 at the restaurant on Blue Lakes Boulevard.
The outlet had opened on July 24 as part of the California-based chain’s expansion into Idaho.
Hundreds of people may have been in or near the restaurant, its car park and neighbouring businesses when gunfire began.
Police say Williams acted alone.
His motive has not been established, and investigators are examining whether he selected particular targets or fired indiscriminately.
His family is cooperating with the investigation.
Witnesses described seeing a man carrying a long rifle emerge from the drive-through area.
Video from the scene shows a suspect dressed in black approaching a white vehicle and opening its driver’s door and boot before fleeing witnesses stopped recording and left the area.
An armed civilian fired at the gunman, and an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper also opened fire.
Police said the intervention diverted the suspect away from the restaurant and likely prevented further deaths and injuries.
The officers and civilian were not identified publicly.
Matthew Hicks, the Twin Falls police chief, called it "one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer could face in their career." Police later said there was no continuing threat to the public.
One of those killed was an In-N-Out employee.
The identities of the victims have not been released while authorities notify their families.
Of the seven injured, two have been discharged from hospital, three are in stable condition and two remain in critical condition.
Lynsi Snyder, In-N-Out’s owner, said: "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." She said the company would mourn with the families and pray for them during "a very painful season."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a digital tip line for photographs and videos from the attack.
Detectives continue to collect footage, interview witnesses and examine the gunman’s movements before the shooting.
The suspected gunman, identified by police as twenty-four-year-old Chad Williams, was later found dead near the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The attack began at about 2:29 p.m. local time on August 1 at the restaurant on Blue Lakes Boulevard.
The outlet had opened on July 24 as part of the California-based chain’s expansion into Idaho.
Hundreds of people may have been in or near the restaurant, its car park and neighbouring businesses when gunfire began.
Police say Williams acted alone.
His motive has not been established, and investigators are examining whether he selected particular targets or fired indiscriminately.
His family is cooperating with the investigation.
Witnesses described seeing a man carrying a long rifle emerge from the drive-through area.
Video from the scene shows a suspect dressed in black approaching a white vehicle and opening its driver’s door and boot before fleeing witnesses stopped recording and left the area.
An armed civilian fired at the gunman, and an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper also opened fire.
Police said the intervention diverted the suspect away from the restaurant and likely prevented further deaths and injuries.
The officers and civilian were not identified publicly.
Matthew Hicks, the Twin Falls police chief, called it "one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer could face in their career." Police later said there was no continuing threat to the public.
One of those killed was an In-N-Out employee.
The identities of the victims have not been released while authorities notify their families.
Of the seven injured, two have been discharged from hospital, three are in stable condition and two remain in critical condition.
Lynsi Snyder, In-N-Out’s owner, said: "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." She said the company would mourn with the families and pray for them during "a very painful season."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a digital tip line for photographs and videos from the attack.
Detectives continue to collect footage, interview witnesses and examine the gunman’s movements before the shooting.
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