Twin Falls, Idaho – A shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon left multiple people dead and others injured, police said. The shooter was among the dead, authorities confirmed.
The shooter was among the dead, Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks said in a news conference. Police were still trying to determine the shooter's identity and motive.
"We believe the threat to the community is over," Hicks said.
He added that he did not yet know exactly how many were killed or wounded, and officials were still in the process of notifying next of kin. "It was a very chaotic scene."
Key developments:
- Shooting: Gunman opened fire at In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho
- Casualties: Multiple people killed, others injured
- Shooter status: Among the dead, police confirm
- Motive: Unknown; investigation ongoing
- Witness: Reported shooter with AR-style rifle emerged from drive-thru
- Heroic actions: Man with pistol fired at shooter; employee dragged wounded victim
- Location: Near busy shopping area; hundreds present
- City: Twin Falls population ~56,000
- Response: Multiple law enforcement agencies responding
- Area: Roads closed; public advised to avoid scene
Before the news conference, Twin Falls county commissioner Brent Reinke said Sheriff Jack Johnson had told him five people were hurt.
Witness Account
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. A man with a pistol started firing at the shooter.
He then saw someone in an In-N-Out uniform drag a person bleeding from a gunshot wound in her chest across the parking lot. The employee, Koehn and the man with the pistol stayed until paramedics arrived for her.
"She was pretty bad off, but I don't know. I hope she made it," Koehn said.
Koehn said he was told by police to evacuate because the shooting was still active.
He also said the shooter fired at least three or four rounds and it was not clear whether or not anyone in particular was targeted.
Police Response
The shooting took place near a busy shopping area and hundreds of people were there at the time, Hicks said. Police were interviewing witnesses and asked for anyone with information to contact authorities.
Reinke, who is also former prison chief for the Idaho Department of Corrections, said he learned of the incident just before 4pm and multiple agencies responded.
Police advised people to avoid the area as they closed roads.
St Luke's Magic Valley spokesperson Taylor Marschner said in a statement that the medical centre was "working closely with law enforcement and emergency responders as they manage the situation."
Community in Shock
Twin Falls, a city of about 56,000 people, is approximately 130 miles (205km) south-east of Boise and about 75 miles (120km) north of the Nevada border.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community, which is not typically associated with such incidents of mass violence.
Police have urged the public to remain calm while they continue their investigation and work to identify the shooter and determine the motive behind the attack.
🔫 The Big Picture
A mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, has left multiple people dead and others injured. The shooter was among the dead, police confirmed, with witnesses describing a chaotic scene involving a gunman with an AR-style rifle emerging from the drive-thru. A heroic bystander with a pistol engaged the shooter, while an In-N-Out employee dragged a wounded victim across the parking lot. Police have yet to identify the shooter or determine a motive. The tragedy has rocked the community of approximately 56,000 people, marking one of the deadliest shootings in Idaho's recent history.
What's Next
Key developments to watch:
- Investigation: Police working to identify shooter and motive
- Victim identities: Officials notifying next of kin
- Casualty count: Final number of killed and wounded
- Witness interviews: Police interviewing witnesses
- Community response: Vigils and support for victims
🔫 For more breaking news and updates: Visit NewsOrbit – World Breaking News for the latest headlines from around the globe.