The short version
- Police released edited video showing the chaotic sequence of events during the mass shooting at a newly opened restaurant in Twin Falls.
- Multiple civilians, including an unarmed employee and armed individuals, engaged the gunman, with officials suggesting these actions may have prevented further deaths.
- Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack, which resulted in three fatalities and ten injuries before the suspect killed himself.
Twin Falls police released surveillance and body camera footage on Friday detailing the mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant that occurred last weekend. The video provides a clearer view of the chaotic events that unfolded during what officials described as a typical Saturday afternoon. Three people died in the attack, and ten others were shot in various locations around the establishment, including inside the dining area, outside near the drive-thru, on an adjacent road, and at a nearby visitor center charging station.
The footage highlights several instances where civilians confronted the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated that these interventions likely slowed the attacker and prevented additional casualties while law enforcement officers were en route to the scene. The video shows Williams approaching the drive-thru window four separate times to open fire, resulting in the death of an employee. The released clips have been edited by authorities to blur faces and remove graphic content.
One key moment captured on video involves an unarmed employee from a nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods store who fled to a walking trail as the shooting began. When Williams followed survivors onto the trail, he encountered two individuals. One of them, with hands raised, spoke directly to the gunman. Police indicated that this interaction distracted Williams from pursuing other people on the path. Shortly after this encounter, Williams took his own life as police closed in on his location near a canyon.
Chief Hicks praised the composure and selflessness of the bystander who engaged Williams on the trail, stating that his actions gave others time to escape harm. Braxton Steube, who identified himself as the person seen in the video, told local reporters that he attempted to de-escalate the situation by telling the gunman he had a family and was willing to comply with any demands. Steube reported that Williams appeared emotional during the exchange before firing a shot that missed him.
In addition to the unarmed bystander, authorities credited other armed civilians for their roles in confronting the shooter. An off-duty state trooper inside the restaurant exchanged gunfire with Williams through the drive-thru window and helped direct employees to safety. A former police officer, A.J. James, also ran toward the sound of gunfire and was wounded while attempting to slow the attacker. Hicks declined to release the name of the off-duty trooper but described his actions as heroic.
Despite the detailed account provided by the video and witness statements, investigators have not yet established a motive for the shooting. Williams had briefly attended the College of Southern Idaho and previously resided in Arizona. The victims were identified as Ashley Garibay, 23, from Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, from Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, from Hagerman, Idaho. The restaurant had opened only recently in July as part of the chain’s expansion into the state.
The release of the video aims to provide transparency regarding the incident while honoring those who acted under extreme pressure. Chief Hicks emphasized the traumatic nature of the event for the community, noting that employees and visitors were caught in sudden violence. The footage underscores the complex dynamics of active shooter situations where civilian intervention can play a critical role in limiting loss of life.
Authorities continue to process the scene and review evidence as part of the ongoing investigation. While the immediate threat has ended with Williams’ death, questions regarding the planning and intent behind the attack remain unanswered. The community is grappling with the aftermath of an event that disrupted a normal day at a popular local business, leaving families and coworkers mourning those who were killed or injured.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Idaho police release video of In-N-Out Burger mass shooting that killed three
- PBS NewsHour↗Police release video showing gunman shooting victims at Idaho In-N-Out Burger drive-thru
