The president of In-N-Out Burger, Lynsi Snyder, stated her "heart is broken" following a shooting incident at a drive-thru in Twin Falls, Idaho, that killed at least two people and injured seven. One of the deceased was identified by Snyder as a "beautiful" associate working at the restaurant.
"We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight," Snyder said in a statement released Sunday. "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 Saturday afternoon at the recently opened Twin Falls branch. Police confirmed that the suspected gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Twin Falls city public information officer Josh Palmer indicated that three people died overall, potentially including the gunman.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated during a news conference on Saturday that investigators are working to determine the shooter's identity and motive. He added, "We believe the threat to the community is over. It was a very chaotic scene."
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with some reporting seeing a bystander engage the gunman with a handgun. However, officials confirmed the suspect died by suicide. Footage from the scene appeared to show the gunman armed with an AR-style rifle.
Customers waiting in the drive-thru line reported seeing people running from the restaurant and workers fleeing. One witness, Haley Dodaro, 43, initially thought there might be a fire before being informed of the shooting. "People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary," she said via text message.
Another customer, Nayeli Rodriguez, 40, was inside the restaurant with her daughters when shots were heard from the kitchen. An employee informed customers of the shooting and urged them to get down. Rodriguez stated that an older man helped protect her and her daughters before they evacuated.
The In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls had opened approximately one week prior to the incident, as part of the company's expansion into Idaho. Multiple individuals were transported to St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Twin Falls is located about 130 miles southeast of Boise.