TWIN FALLS, Idaho — A candlelight vigil is set for Tuesday night at Twin Falls City Park to commemorate the victims of the tragic mass shooting that occurred Saturday at a nearby In-N-Out Burger, leaving three people dead and seven others injured.
The shooter, Chad Williams, 24, reportedly took his own life after engaging in a confrontation with an off-duty state trooper and an armed civilian. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed that Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the incident at the popular fast-food restaurant on August 1, 2026. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as gunfire erupted around 2:30 p.m., with dispatchers receiving emergency calls detailing the horrifying sounds of screams and gunfire.
Authorities believe Williams acted alone in the attack. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the shooting while receiving full cooperation from Williams’ family. Witnesses noted the swift response by bystanders, with one civilian who engaged Williams recalling that the shooter was not pleased when the firing turned mutual.
Jordan Salinas, a 35-year-old resident of Kimberly, Idaho, intervened during the violence, exchanging gunfire with the shooter. He later recounted that Williams seemed rattled when the bullets flew in both directions. Chief Hicks lauded the heroism of Salinas and the off-duty state trooper, asserting that their actions likely prevented additional casualties.
Another bystander, Austin James, ran toward the chaos without drawing his weapon due to concerns of being misidentified by law enforcement. He sustained life-threatening injuries during a confrontational moment with the shooter, but his wife and a friend, both emergency room nurses, provided critical care until paramedics could arrive.
Staff working at neighboring establishments recounted the frantic moments that unfolded. Braxton Stuebe, an employee at a nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods, described how customers flooded into the store seeking refuge when the shooting started. He encountered Williams in a chilling face-off, where he begged for his life, revealing he had a family. After Stuebe moved away, Williams fired but narrowly missed him.
Among the deceased was an In-N-Out employee, prompting company president Lynsi Snyder to express deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families. As of Sunday, names of the deceased and the injured had yet to be released, as officials worked to notify next of kin. The restaurant had just opened its doors on July 24, making the violence all the more shocking for the community.
Reports indicated that two of the injured had been discharged from the hospital, while three others were in stable condition and two remained critical. One of the injured, Terry Dudley, was shot while charging an electric vehicle. His son mentioned that Dudley managed to call for help before being airlifted to a Boise hospital.
The aftermath of the shooting left hundreds of shoppers in a state of panic. Lane Koehn, who witnessed the chaos while at a traffic light, reported seeing a gunman with an assault rifle emerge from the drive-thru as another man returned fire. Eyewitnesses helped injured individuals before first responders arrived, highlighting the bravery shown by bystanders during the crisis.
The FBI has set up a digital media tip line for those with photos or videos from the scene, as they work to piece together a complete account of the tragic event. Officials have cautioned against the spread of misinformation, as one innocent person was mistakenly identified online as the shooter. Chief Hicks expressed sympathy not only for the victims but also for Williams’ family, acknowledging the depth of loss experienced by all involved.