3 Killed in Idaho In-N-Out Shooting; Victim Helped Others

Three people were killed and seven others wounded when a gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon, according to AP News. The 24-year-old shooter, identified by police as Chad Williams, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and investigators said they believe he acted alone.

Authorities released the names of the victims on Tuesday: Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho. The attack occurred around 2 p.m. in a busy shopping plaza along Blue Lakes Boulevard, just about a week after the restaurant opened on July 24 as part of the California-based chain’s expansion into Idaho.

A Life Dedicated to Helping Others

Among those killed was Christopher Claunch, known to those close to him as “Toph,” a man who dedicated his life to helping others achieve sobriety after completing a rehab program himself. According to AP News, Claunch completed a rehab program for alcohol abuse at Renaissance Ranch Recovery Center in Rupert, Idaho, about two years before the shooting and was immediately hired there.

Garren Taylor, one of Claunch’s friends, said Claunch had since helped countless people overcome addiction.

“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.’”

Ashley Garibay worked for the burger chain on a team that trained new employees. Her family described her as an “amazing, beautiful soul who loved living life.” She had dreamed of one day managing one of the stores, according to her family.

“She was adventurous, outgoing, smart and driven, never letting obstacles get in her way,” her family said in a statement. “She lit up a room with her bright smile and a laugh that was contagious.”

Dale 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.” Schultz’s wife, Reinette, was also injured in the shooting and remains hospitalized.

Chaos at the Restaurant

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shots rang out. Lane Koehn, 34, said he was at a stoplight near the In-N-Out when he saw a person with an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru. He then saw someone in an In-N-Out uniform drag a person, also in uniform, bleeding from a gunshot wound across the parking lot.

“She was pretty bad off, but I don’t know. I hope she made it,” Koehn said.

Haley Dodaro, 43, was waiting in the drive-thru line with her mother when they saw people running across the road and workers bolting out of the restaurant.

“So that’s when we knew there was a shooting. People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary,” Dodaro said.

During the attack, an off-duty Idaho State Trooper and an armed civilian, later identified as Jordan Salinas, fired on Williams, diverting him from the restaurant. Police Chief Matthew Hicks said their actions likely prevented further casualties.

“We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Hicks said.

Salinas, who spoke publicly about the confrontation, said Williams appeared calm while aiming his rifle at passing vehicles.

“He seemed unusually comfortable aiming that rifle at those cars,” Salinas told KMVT. “And then as soon as some rounds started coming at him everything changed.”

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador praised the responders’ courage, saying, “Their courage, without a doubt, saved lives.”

The Gunman’s Background

Williams attended the College of Southern Idaho from August 2022 through December 2023, according to the school’s president, L. Dean Fisher. He did not graduate and was unanimously impeached from the student senate in February 2023 for being inactive, as KMVT reported.

Elijah Moseley, who lived across the hall from Williams in a college dorm, described him as “an introvert” and “a pretty chill guy.”

“I’m shocked by this and sick to my stomach about this,” Moseley said.

An initial search of court records in Idaho and Arizona, where Williams previously lived, showed no criminal cases matching his name and birth date. Police were still trying to determine a motive as of Thursday.

Hicks also warned of misinformation spreading online identifying a different man as the shooter, saying that person had “no involvement in this incident whatsoever.”

Community Response

Hundreds of community members gathered at Twin Falls City Park on Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims, as KMVT reported. Pastors led prayers, therapy dogs were available, and local businesses donated food and water.

“Even as we were setting up tonight, we had complete strangers approaching us, asking us how they can help,” said Jessica James, a vigil volunteer. “It’s been really beautiful to see so many people together for a tragedy that could have torn us apart, but here we’ve got strangers becoming friends.”

Teresa Yocham, a Twin Falls resident, said the shooting sickened her and she wanted to come out to show support.

“We are strong as a community and we come together in hard times and that’s what this was about,” she said.

GoFundMe campaigns have been launched to help families with funeral expenses, and local organizations have organized fundraisers. The MAKS Volleyball Club is raffling off a donated pig to support Coach Austin James, a former law enforcement officer who was critically wounded after moving toward danger during the attack, according to KMVT.

Flags in the city were lowered to half-staff, and a Family Assistance Center was opened to support those affected by the shooting.

What’s Next

Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, with Williams’ family reportedly cooperating fully with law enforcement. The FBI has encouraged the public to submit images and videos related to the shooting. As the community mourns, organizers have said they would like to host another vigil after police complete their investigation.

For the families of Ashley Garibay, Dale Schultz, and Christopher Claunch, the loss is immeasurable. But in the words of Claunch’s friend Garren Taylor, Claunch’s legacy lives on through the hundreds of lives he touched: “He was just a gift to anyone he came in contact with.”