The gunman who killed two people and wounded seven others at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, had previously posted about crime, immigration, and political figures online. Chad Williams, 24, died by suicide following the Saturday incident.
In a November 2024 post on X, formerly Twitter, Williams expressed alarm over a carjacking in his hometown of Waddell, Arizona. "Last month a man pointed an AK-47 at the door of a house only streets away from my childhood home," he wrote. "He would have killed you or me for walking out of our front door at the wrong time over a truck he would sell for just $8,000."
Williams, who identified himself as a "former foster care youth" and a participant in the 2019 Boys State leadership program, stopped posting on X in July 2025. His posts often addressed current events, with a focus on crime and immigration, and he advocated for stricter enforcement.
He also shared concerns about public safety in New York City and criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. "Bragg downgraded 60% of felony cases last year, including violent crimes…New Yorkers don’t feel safe in their own city," one re-shared post stated. The same post contrasted this with "Trump’s case, he elevated 34 charges to felonies…It’s time for DAs that prioritize public safety over politics."
Williams also posted about his support for the First and Second Amendments. He re-shared a post thanking Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna for cosponsoring the National Constitutional Carry Act, stating, "No one should have to beg the government to exercise a constitutionally protected right anywhere in the country." Another re-shared post emphasized, "Free Speech is the bedrock of Democracy and must be protected at all costs."
During an online argument about gun laws in July 2025, Williams wrote about firearms being used in crimes. "Many crimes have been solved because of a traceable firearm. Obviously many haven’t. This is a reason [for the government to register firearms] other than ‘it’s only for disarming populations’ as you stated. Is it a good reason to surveil the general population? Not particularly, and another infringement," he stated.
Williams attended the College of Southern Idaho for one year, from August 2022 to December 2023. He was briefly involved in student government but was impeached in February 2023 for missing multiple meetings. The college confirmed he did not graduate with any credentials and is cooperating with law enforcement.
The shooting began around 2 p.m. on Saturday when Williams, armed with an AR-style rifle, opened fire inside the restaurant and then in the parking lot. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated that two Good Samaritans, identified as customer Jordan Salinas, 35, and off-duty police officer Austin "AJ" Scott, fired back at Williams, driving him away and preventing further casualties.
Among the victims were In-N-Out worker Ashley Garibay, 23, and customer Cristopher Claunch, 59. Of the seven wounded, two have been released from the hospital, three are in stable condition, and two remain in critical condition.
Williams' mother also expressed conservative political views online, sharing posts that praised U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and criticized former President Joe Biden. She also reposted content that hailed Donald Trump and stated her own stance as "Pro-God, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-American."
Williams' family has been cooperating with the investigation, and police have not yet released an official motive for the attack.