On Friday, police released video footage of a tragic mass shooting that took place at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho last weekend, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The authorities praised a nearby store employee who courageously confronted the gunman outdoors, helping to slow him down and possibly preventing further casualties as law enforcement were responding to the scene.
This act of heroism adds to the accounts of at least three other individuals who confronted the shooter with their own firearms, along with many others who rushed to provide comfort to the victims in the aftermath of the attack. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks remarked during a news conference, "What happened here was violent, frightening and deeply traumatic."
The released video provided additional insights into the chaotic events of that Saturday afternoon. It showed the gunman, Chad Williams, 24, approaching the drive-thru window multiple times while opening fire, leading to the death of an In-N-Out employee. A total of ten individuals were shot during the ordeal, with victims found both inside the restaurant and outside on an adjacent busy road, as well as at a car charging station located in a nearby visitors center lot.
As investigations are ongoing, authorities indicated they still do not have a clear motive for the shooting. In a tragic turn of events, Williams took his own life as police were closing in on him, with his body later discovered near a canyon.
Chief Hicks expressed heartfelt condolences, stating, "It should have been a normal Saturday afternoon... Instead, they were confronted with chaos, fear, and now loss." He identified an unnamed man who encountered Williams on the trail as a "hero," commending his bravery and actions that likely delayed the gunman and allowed others to escape to safety. Hick's praise highlighted the community's gratitude and acknowledgement of the man's selfless behavior during a crisis.
In addition to the unnamed hero, police had previously acknowledged the actions of an off-duty state trooper who exchanged gunfire with Williams from inside the restaurant, as well as another former police officer, A.J. James, who was injured while attempting to confront the gunman. Reports indicated that an armed civilian played a role in diverting the shooter from the restaurant entirely.
A key confrontation occurred when Braxton Steube, a Dick's Sporting Goods employee, met Williams on the walking trail after fleeing the vicinity. Steube tried to engage with the gunman by pleading for him to reconsider his actions, stating, "I have a family... You don’t have to do this." Despite initially showing some emotional response, Williams ultimately shot at Steube but missed.
The Twin Falls In-N-Out Burger, located 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Boise, Idaho's capital, had recently opened in July as part of the chain’s expansion into the region. The shooting claimed the lives of Ashley Garibay, 23, from Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, from Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, from Hagerman, Idaho. Prior to the shooting, Williams had briefly attended the College of Southern Idaho and previously lived in Arizona.
