A gunman killed at least two people and injured several others at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon before turning his rifle on himself, authorities confirmed. The identity of the shooter has not yet been released.
Shooting Incident
The shooting began around 3 p.m. local time at the drive-thru of the restaurant, which had recently opened. Witnesses described the gunman, appearing to be a young white male, exiting a white sedan and firing an AR-style rifle. Footage from the scene showed panicked onlookers fleeing as gunshots rang out. One witness described the shooter as "panicking" and "not very calm and collected, running and slinging his rifle around firing."
The gunman moved to a nearby parking lot, where he appeared to fire aimlessly into the windshield of a Tesla. It remains unclear if the vehicle was occupied.
Bystander Intervention
During the incident, a second individual was seen firing a handgun at the active shooter. Witnesses praised this person, who they claimed was a retired paramedic, for confronting the suspect and then assisting an injured In-N-Out employee. However, Duane Rubink, chief of the Jerome Police Department, confirmed that the primary suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, dispelling earlier reports that the bystander had neutralized the gunman.
Investigation and Response
Law enforcement agencies, including the Twin Falls Police Department, Idaho State Police, FBI, and ATF, responded to the scene. The area around the restaurant was locked down, with multiple roads closed. Nearby businesses, including the Magic Valley Mall, were evacuated or placed under lockdown as a precaution.
Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the suspect's identity and motives. The number of injured victims is expected to increase as officials continue their work. Idaho Governor Brad Little urged residents to avoid the area and follow law enforcement directions.