A quiet Saturday afternoon in Twin Falls turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy after a shooting at a newly opened In-N Out Burger left three people dead and seven others injured. City officials confirmed the violence broke out around 2 p.m. in a busy shopping plaza, where hundreds of shoppers and diners were present. Police discovered the body of a suspected gunman near the restaurant shortly after arriving on the scene, though authorities have not yet clarified if the shooter is counted among the deceased.
Witnesses described a terrifying sequence of events involving an individual armed with an AR style rifle. One bystander reported seeing the shooter emerge from the drive thru before another man with a handgun attempted to intervene by firing back. Amidst the panic, employees worked desperately to save one another, with reports of staff dragging a wounded coworker across the parking lot while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Other patrons recounted hearing gunshots coming from the kitchen area, forcing them to dive for cover before fleeing the building in tears.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks characterized the aftermath as a very chaotic scene but assured the public that any immediate threat to the community has ended. Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to establish a motive and identify those involved. Because many victims remain in critical condition and families are still being notified, official names and ages have not yet been released.
The tragedy comes just days after the restaurant opened its doors on July 24 as part of the chain’s expansion into Idaho. For residents like Haley Dodaro and Nayeli Rodriguez, what began as a routine lunch trip became a nightmare of screaming crowds and frantic evacuations. As patients continue to receive care at St Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center, the small city remains shaken by an act of violence that shattered the excitement surrounding a new local business.