Twin Falls, Idaho, finally got its much-anticipated In-N-Out Burger, a week later it’s the site of a shooting that left 3 dead

The opening of an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho on July 25 was a celebratory moment for the community. Now, a week later, the area surrounding the new storefront on Blue Lakes Boulevard North became the site of a violent tragedy.

Authorities confirmed that multiple people were killed and at least five others were injured during a shooting incident, which unfolded around 2:30 PM on August 1.

According to CNN and NBC News, the situation began in one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors. Video footage from the scene captured customers and employees, identifiable by their signature red aprons and paper hats, running frantically through the parking lot as gunfire erupted.

Duane Rubink, the chief of the neighboring Jerome Police Department, told CNN that it appears there was one shooter who is deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks spoke to reporters on Saturday evening to provide an update, stating, “We believe that the threat to the community is over.” Regarding the suspect, Hicks noted, “We are working to try to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that.”

Confusion in the chaos

The outlets noted that it remains unclear if the shooter is included in the initial count of three fatalities provided by authorities. The incident has left the community reeling, especially given that the burger chain had only been open for about a week and In-N-Out Burger president Lynsi Snyder released a statement confirming that one of the company’s employees was among those killed.

“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed,” Snyder wrote. “We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight. She was taking care of our most important asset – our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own.” Snyder further explained that the shooter fired on and off the property, taking the lives of innocent people who never saw it coming, before ending his own life.

Witnesses at the scene described moments of pure panic. Dominic Gonzales, who was waiting in a car with his brothers, told CNN affiliate KMVT, “We were just sitting there, I was playing on my phone when I heard a couple pops and I look up and I see a gentleman walking from a white vehicle to another vehicle with a pistol in his hand.” . He described throwing himself across the front of the car to protect his brothers.

Another witness, Jaylyn Sanchez, was reportedly inside the restaurant when the gunfire began. She eventually ran out through the drive-thru line and encountered the shooter directly. “As I was running I faced the shooter head on and he pointed the gun at me,” Sanchez said. She managed to find cover behind a white car and described an attempt to grab a gun she believed belonged to the shooter, though she found it jammed and fled the scene.

Other businesses in the immediate area took swift action as the situation developed. Per NBC, A nearby Chick-fil-A closed for the remainder of the day as a precaution. In fact, recently a Chick-fil-A saw a fatal shooting in New Jersey. Additionally, the Magic Valley Mall was shuttered, with people inside told to stay put. 

CNN reported that Josh Palmer, the city’s public information officer, confirmed that shelter-in-place orders were eventually lifted and roads were reopened. However, he urged the public to remain cautious due to misinformation circulating on social media. There has been a growing number of incidents of random shootings. Recently, a citywide shooting spree in Austin also triggered a shelter-in-place warning. 

The outlet noted that the FBI has since established a digital media tip line, asking anyone with photos, videos, or audio captured during the shooting to come forward. While the investigation continues, officials are focused on processing the scene, where hundreds of potential witnesses are expected to be interviewed. As Chief Hicks stated, “Today has been a very hard day here in Twin Falls.”

Company leadership expressed their grief as they cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Per CNN, Danney Warnick, the chief operating officer for In-N-Out, said, “We are heartbroken. Our prayers go out to our Customers, our Associates, and all of their families.” 

Meanwhile, political figures have also weighed in, with Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo writing on X, “I’m grateful for the swift response of Idaho’s first responders.”