Three dead, including gunman, after madman opens fire on Idaho In-N-Out
In an alarming incident at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Idaho on Saturday, a gunman shot and killed two individuals while injuring several others, leading to chaos as customers fled in fear.
The assailant, who is also deceased, began his attack around 2 p.m. local time inside the restaurant located in Twin Falls and subsequently moved outside, where witnesses recorded the disturbing events.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks mentioned that authorities are still assessing the total number of injured parties and did not specify how many individuals were engaged in the incident.
According to Hicks, officials believe that the immediate danger to the community has been eliminated, and they are in the process of identifying the shooter alongside investigating the motive behind the attack.
A witness recounted the event to the Associated Press, stating he observed the violent scene unfold while waiting at a traffic light near the burger establishment.
Lane Koehn, aged 34, reported seeing an individual armed with what appeared to be an AR-style rifle exiting the drive-thru area, followed by another man with a handgun who began shooting at the suspected gunman.
Koehn described an employee rushing to assist a colleague who had been shot in the chest, dragging her across the parking lot until emergency services arrived.
He expressed concern for her condition, saying, ‘She was pretty bad off, but I don’t know. I hope she made it.’
Koehn estimated he heard three or four gunshots and noted it was unclear if any specific individual was targeted.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene, responding to reports of an active shooter situation in the parking lot.
A cellphone video captured from a nearby vehicle shows a man in a black T-shirt and blue pants standing between parked cars, aiming what seems to be a handgun at a blue vehicle.
Two gunshots are heard in rapid succession, with visible flashes from the weapon accompanying each shot.
The individual then lowers his weapon and walks away briskly before breaking into a run across the parking lot, still holding the firearm.
As the shooting occurs, the person recording can be heard whispering, ‘Oh my gosh’ just moments before the gunfire.
As the shooter moves off, the camera suddenly drops, suggesting the person filming ducked for safety. A panicked voice is heard saying, ‘Get down… I don’t have service.’
Another video, taken from a vehicle halted at a red light on Blue Lakes Boulevard North, depicts individuals running through the street as gunfire can be heard in the background.
The footage then shifts toward the In-N-Out, where a person in dark clothing is seen pacing by a white sedan in the drive-thru, holding a long firearm.
‘He got more in the back,’ a passenger states as the armed individual leans into the sedan and opens its rear hatch.
The individual retrieves a second large item from the vehicle, while one witness remarks that it appears to be ‘something bigger.’
‘I’m getting the f— out of here,’ a passenger declares before the vehicle speeds away.
As the car passes the restaurant, someone yells from the window, ‘Hey! Stop shooting! Stop shooting, bitch!’
Multiple individuals can be seen escaping the vicinity, including a person in a white shirt sprinting across the road and another in a bright yellow top rushing along the sidewalk.
Authorities closed off the Perrine Bridge and surrounding roads, while nearby businesses were put on lockdown, and the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods was evacuated.
The Magic Valley Mall also implemented a lockdown, and St. Luke’s Magic Valley encouraged people to avoid visiting the hospital unless absolutely necessary.
The hospital confirmed that its emergency department remained operational and is coordinating closely with law enforcement and emergency responders during the situation.
Reinke stated that investigators were moving hundreds of witnesses to different locations for interviews.
In light of the events, Chick-fil-A Twin Falls decided to close for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
Governor Brad Little urged residents of Idaho to avoid the area and adhere to instructions from law enforcement while they work to ensure public safety.
The FBI acknowledged awareness of the shooting and is providing support to local authorities.
The Twin Falls In-N-Out had only just opened its doors a week prior to the shooting on July 25.
Denny Warnick, COO of In-N-Out, expressed their heartbreak in a statement.
‘Our thoughts are with our customers, associates, and their families. We are collaborating with the Twin Falls Police Department to aid in the ongoing investigation.’
The Post has reached out to local law enforcement for comments.
