A Restaurant Employee Was Among Those Killed in the Idaho Shooting, While Authorities Said the Suspected Gunman Was Found Dead Near the Scene
Three people were killed and seven others were injured Saturday when a gunman opened fire at and around an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, authorities said.
Some of the injured were listed in critical condition following the Aug. 1 attack, which unfolded in a busy commercial area near major retailers, a movie theater and the Twin Falls Visitor Center. Police said the suspected shooter was later found dead near the scene.
Authorities had not released the names of the victims or the suspected gunman as of Sunday. Investigators were also working to determine a motive and confirm whether the shooter was included in the reported death toll.
“We believe the threat to the community is over,” Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said during a news conference.
In-N-Out Employee Among Those Killed
In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder confirmed that one of the company’s employees was killed while serving customers.
“We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight,” Snyder said in a statement. “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 said the gunman fired both on and away from the restaurant’s property before dying shortly after the attack. Police had not independently confirmed the circumstances of the suspect’s death as of Sunday morning.
“In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season,” Snyder said.
The Twin Falls restaurant had opened July 24, just eight days before the shooting.
Hundreds of Witnesses Near Shooting Scene
Police received reports of gunfire at the restaurant on Blue Lakes Boulevard North shortly before 2:30 p.m.
Multiple agencies responded, including Twin Falls police, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police and federal authorities. The FBI offered assistance with the investigation.
Hicks described the area as an “exceptionally chaotic scene” and said hundreds of potential witnesses were being interviewed.
Witness Haley Dodaro told NBC News she was approaching the restaurant with her mother when she saw people running across the road.
“People were running out crying and screaming,” Dodaro said. “It was very scary and terrifying.”
Nearby businesses temporarily sheltered customers and employees in place. Magic Valley Mall closed during the emergency response, while a neighboring Chick-fil-A shut down for the remainder of Saturday as a precaution.
The shelter-in-place order was later lifted, and authorities began reopening roads while investigators continued processing the scene.
Police asked anyone with photographs, video or information related to the shooting to contact the Twin Falls Police Department.
