The short version
- A 24-year-old man killed three people and wounded seven others at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls before taking his own life.
- Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated that detectives believe the suspect acted alone and that his family is cooperating with authorities.
- An off-duty state trooper and a civilian intervened during the attack, diverting the shooter from the restaurant building.
Authorities in Twin Falls, Idaho, are investigating a mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant that left three people dead and seven others injured over the weekend. Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed on Sunday that detectives believe the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, acted alone during the Saturday attack. Investigators are currently working to determine what motivated Williams to open fire at the fast-food location before he killed himself.
The incident occurred at a busy shopping plaza in the southern Idaho city of approximately 56,000 residents. The specific In-N-Out location had opened just days earlier on July 24 as part of the California-based chain’s expansion into the state. Hundreds of people were present in the area when the violence erupted, creating a chaotic scene that required significant emergency response coordination.
Hicks reported that an off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired upon the attacker, successfully diverting him away from the restaurant building. While police have not released the names of the victims or the interveners, they noted that Williams’ family is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. A spokesperson for Twin Falls indicated that officers are still in the process of identifying next of kin for those affected.
Witnesses described a harrowing sequence of events involving an AR-style rifle and rapid gunfire. One bystander observed the shooter emerging from the drive-thru area while another video captured the suspect accessing a vehicle trunk, raising fears he might be retrieving additional weapons. Inside the restaurant, employees alerted patrons to take cover as shots rang out from the kitchen area. Among the deceased was one In-N-Out employee, according to company owner Lynsi Snyder, who declined to provide further identification details.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- PBS NewsHour↗Authorities seek a motive in mass shooting at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger
