Idaho In-N-Out Shooting Kills 3; Heroes Credited With Saving Lives
Three people were killed and seven others injured in a mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon, according to AP News. The gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being confronted by an armed civilian and an off-duty state trooper, police said.
The Victims
Authorities identified the three victims as Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho, about 28 miles northwest of Twin Falls, as KMVT reported.
Garibay was an In-N-Out employee who had been training new staff at the newly opened Twin Falls location. Her family described her as “adventurous, outgoing, smart and driven, never letting obstacles get in her way,” noting that she “lit up a room with her bright smile and a laugh that was contagious.” She had dreamed of one day managing an In-N-Out store.
Claunch, known to those close to him as “Toph,” completed a rehab program for alcohol abuse at Renaissance Ranch Recovery Center in Rupert, Idaho, a couple of years ago and was immediately hired there. His friend Garren Taylor said Claunch dedicated his life to helping others achieve sobriety. “He helped hundreds of people,” Taylor said. “He was just a gift to anyone he came in contact with. It wasn’t about the paycheck. His attitude was: ‘I get to help someone today.’”
Schultz was described by Gregory Glenn, pastoral administrator for the Madeleine Choir School in Salt Lake City, as a “beloved alumni parent” and “gifted artist.” His wife, Reinette, was injured in the shooting and remains hospitalized.
The Attack and the Response
The shooting began at approximately 2:29 p.m. MDT at the In-N-Out, which had opened just one week earlier on July 24 as part of the California chain’s expansion into Idaho. The restaurant is the company’s 441st location and fourth in the state, according to NBC News.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. Lane Koehn, 34, was at a stoplight near the restaurant when he saw a person with an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru. He watched as an armed civilian began firing at the shooter. “The shooter was solely focused on him, and [it] allowed us to get out,” Koehn said. “I mean, the car directly ahead of me was getting shot — it gave them time to leave.”
Jordan Salinas, a 35-year-old from nearby Kimberly, Idaho, fired at Williams with a suppressed FN Five-seven semi-automatic pistol. An off-duty Idaho state trooper also returned fire. Their combined actions drove Williams away from the crowded restaurant area toward a parking lot at the city’s visitor center, where he later took his own life.
“We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said. “We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen, and their heroic action to stop this incident.”
Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying, “These people are true heroes in our community. They diverted the shooter and without a doubt saved many lives,” as CBS2 Idaho News reported.
Salinas, who spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday, said he had been training with firearms since the 2021 Boise Towne Square mall shooting. “He seemed unusually comfortable aiming that rifle at those cars,” Salinas told ABC News, as KMVT reported. “And then as soon as some rounds started coming at him everything changed.” His stated goal was simple: “My goal was to try to help as many people get home, as possible you know, to be with their family be with their friends. That was the entire goal.”
Austin Scott James, a former Twin Falls Police and Idaho State Police officer, also confronted the gunman. James chose not to draw his weapon out of concern that responding officers might mistake him for the attacker. He was critically wounded and faces a long recovery. His wife, an emergency room nurse, provided life-saving care at the scene.
Investigation Ongoing
As of Wednesday, authorities had not determined a motive for the shooting. Williams had no prior criminal record in Idaho or Arizona court records, according to AP News. He attended the College of Southern Idaho from August 2022 to December 2023 without graduating and was unanimously impeached from the student senate in February 2023.
Elijah Moseley, who lived across the hall from Williams in a college dorm, described him as “an introvert” and “a pretty chill guy.” “I was never scared or weirded out by him,” Moseley said. “I’m shocked by this and sick to my stomach about this.”
The FBI is assisting with the investigation and has established an online tip line for the public to submit photos, videos, and audio recordings from the shooting.
Community Response
Hundreds of community members gathered at Twin Falls City Park on Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims, as CBS2 Idaho News reported. Many held candles or roses, wrote notes on large blue hearts arranged on a trio of crosses, and stood arm-in-arm in prayer.
“We are strong as a community and we come together in hard times and that’s what this was about,” said Teresa Yocham, a Twin Falls resident.
In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder released a statement expressing her grief. “My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed,” she wrote. “We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight. In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season.”
A Family Assistance Center has been opened at Sawtooth Elementary School, offering support services, mental health resources, and assistance with collecting personal belongings left at the scene. Flags in the city will remain at half-staff until next week.
What’s Next
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting and search for a motive. Two of the injured remain in critical condition, while three are listed as stable and two have been treated and released. The community continues to mourn while supporting the families affected by the tragedy, as CBS News noted.
As the investigation unfolds, the story of how ordinary citizens and an off-duty officer confronted an active shooter — and in doing so, likely prevented a far greater tragedy — has become a defining narrative of this event, raising questions about the role of armed civilians in responding to mass shootings that will likely continue to be debated in the weeks ahead.