Idaho In-N-Out shooter identified as 24-year-old suspect found dead of self-inflicted wound

A shooting at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday left three people dead and seven others injured, prompting a large-scale police investigation.

According to HuffPost, authorities have identified the gunman as 24-year-old Chad Williams, who was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the restaurant. Officials said two of the injured were treated and released, while three remained in stable condition and two were in critical condition as of Sunday.

Investigators said the intervention of an off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen helped prevent additional casualties. Officials often recognize civilians and off-duty first responders whose quick actions help prevent greater loss of life during emergencies. 

Police say quick intervention prevented more deaths

Both drew their weapons and fired at the suspect, pulling him away from the crowded restaurant before he fled the area.

“We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Police Chief Matthew Hicks said during a press conference. “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.”

Police believe Williams acted alone, and officials said his family has been fully cooperating with the investigation. Authorities also pushed back on rumors circulating on social media that falsely identified another individual as the gunman.

The FBI is asking anyone who was at the shopping center during the shooting to submit photos or videos that could help investigators piece together the events leading up to the attack. Investigators often use witness accounts alongside physical evidence and video footage to help establish an early timeline.

The shooting has left the Twin Falls community reeling, particularly because the restaurant had opened only days earlier, on July 24, as part of In-N-Out’s continued expansion into Idaho.

“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed. We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight,” In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder said in a statement shared on social media. “In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season.”

Witnesses described scenes of panic as customers rushed to escape the restaurant. Nayeli Rodriguez said she grabbed her daughters and took cover after hearing gunfire near the kitchen before making it outside.

“We were trying to get as far as we could and some angels let us in their car,” Rodriguez said.

Another bystander, Lane Koehn, recalled seeing an employee trying to aid a wounded co-worker in the parking lot.

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

Detectives continue to review evidence and work to establish a complete timeline as they investigate what led up to the shooting.