Twin Falls Police have commended two bystanders for their actions during a shooting incident at an In-N-Out restaurant, stating that their intervention likely prevented additional injuries. The department confirmed that an off-duty state trooper and a private citizen returned gunfire toward the suspect on Saturday, driving the individual away from the scene.
Authorities have not released the identities of the bystanders but expressed gratitude for their actions. "We commend their heroic actions, which we believe helped drive the suspect away from the scene and prevent further casualties," the Twin Falls Police Department stated on social media.
One of the bystanders, identified as Jordan Salinas, shared his account with the Idaho Statesman. Salinas and his girlfriend were approaching the restaurant when they observed people fleeing and heard gunshots. He described his response as "automatic" to run towards the building while drawing his semi-automatic pistol.
Law enforcement also addressed misinformation circulating online regarding the suspect's identity, correcting erroneous social media posts that had misidentified another individual. Authorities urged the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed information about the shooting.