The president of In-N-Out Burger, Lynsi Snyder, has condemned the gunman responsible for a fatal shooting at a newly opened restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, describing the perpetrator as “a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own.” The attack on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two people, including an In-N-Out associate, and left several others injured before the shooter died by suicide.
Snyder, whose grandparents founded the burger chain in 1948, stated that her “heart is broken” by the loss of the employee, who was serving customers at the time of the incident. “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.”
The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. on Saturday, initially at the restaurant and then spilling into the parking lot. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks characterized the scene as “very chaotic.” Witnesses reported seeing a man with an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru, followed by gunfire from another individual armed with a pistol.
Video footage from the scene appeared to capture the gunman moving through the parking lot and firing at a vehicle. Other In-N-Out employees reportedly assisted wounded colleagues until emergency services arrived.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspected shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators are working to confirm the total number of individuals injured and are interviewing witnesses to determine the shooter's identity and motive. The FBI is providing assistance to local law enforcement in the investigation.
The Twin Falls In-N-Out restaurant had opened its doors to customers on July 25, marking one of the chain's recent expansions into Idaho beyond its West Coast origins.
Snyder, who assumed the role of president in 2010, expressed that the company will be supporting the affected employees and customers and mourning with the victims' families. “I love you all, and I ask you to turn to God, not in anger, but seeking comfort and strength for those who are hurting,” she wrote. “We will stand together, and we will do everything we can to learn from this situation.”