Police continue searching for a motive in the shooting at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger restaurant over the weekend that left three people dead and seven others injured.
The armed suspect was identified by the Twin Falls Police Department as Chad Williams, 24. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following Saturday’s shooting, according to Police Chief Matthew Hicks. Williams is separate from the count of victim fatalities.
Authorities believe the man acted alone in the shooting as they continue investigating. Williams’s family is cooperating in the investigation.
An off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen fired at Williams as the incident unfolded, diverting him from the restaurant in an effort that likely saved lives. The Idaho Statesman confirmed Jordan Salinas, 35, was the bystander who flew into action.
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador thanked Salinas and the off-duty police officer for their bravery in challenging the gunman.
“Idaho is grateful for Jordan Salinas. We are grateful for the off-duty officer who stood with him,” Labrador posted on X. “And we remain grateful for the right of law-abiding Idahoans to defend themselves and each other when it matters most.”
Among the deceased was a female In-N-Out employee. Lynsi Snyder, president of the fast-food chain, did not reveal her name but expressed heartbreak over her death.
“We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight,” Snyder said in part. “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.”
A witness named Lane Koehn, 34, said he saw an In-N-Out worker drag another uniformed person bleeding from a gunshot wound to her chest in the parking lot. Koehn said the woman “was pretty bad off” but noted he hoped “she made it.”
None of the victims’ identities has been released. On Sunday, police said the families were still being notified.
Hours after the Sunday press conference, the Twin Falls Police Department issued a statement to correct the record that a man with the same name as the suspect was not involved in the shooting.
“We have been made aware of at least one individual with the same name as the suspect who is an active-duty military member and is now being harassed and falsely accused of being the shooter. This individual is not the suspect and is not involved in this incident,” the police department said on Facebook.
“We ask the public to avoid making assumptions, posting accusations, or contacting individuals based solely on a name,” the police department added. “Sharing unverified information can cause serious harm to innocent people and their families.”
Twin Falls is hosting a candlelight vigil at 9 p.m. Tuesday in honor of the deceased and wounded victims. The city is postponing an event it had scheduled for Tuesday night to make room for the vigil.
IN-N-OUT WORKER AMONG THREE DEAD IN IDAHO SHOOTING, FAST-FOOD CHAIN’S OWNER SAYS
“We want to give our community time to grieve the tragic shooting at Canyon Park West, so we’re postponing our National Night Out event that was scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 4, to a more appropriate date,” the Twin Falls Police Department said.
The In-N-Out restaurant caught in the middle of the shooting had just opened on July 24 as part of the California-based burger chain’s expansion into Idaho. With a population of about 56,000 people, the city is located about 130 miles southeast of Boise.