The suspect in a fatal shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police announced Sunday. Investigators believe the actions of an off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen, who both fired at the gunman, helped divert him from the scene and prevented further casualties.
Chad Williams, 24, was identified as the shooter. Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated that investigators are confident Williams acted alone. Three people died in the incident, and seven others were injured. Two of the injured have been released from the hospital, three are listed in stable condition, and two remain in critical condition.
Hicks commended the heroic actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen, whose identities have not been released. "We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties," Hicks said.
Detectives are working to determine Williams' motives, and his family is cooperating with law enforcement. Police also addressed misinformation circulating online, warning the public about false reports identifying another individual as the shooter.
One of the victims was an employee of the restaurant, In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder said in a statement. Snyder expressed her heartbreak and offered condolences to the families of the victims. The FBI has requested the public submit any relevant images or videos of the incident.
The In-N-Out restaurant had recently opened on July 24 as part of the company's expansion into Idaho. The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. on a Saturday in a busy shopping plaza. Witnesses described seeing a person with a rifle emerge from the drive-thru and hearing gunshots. Some reported seeing an employee in uniform drag another injured employee across the parking lot.
Twin Falls is located in southern Idaho, approximately 130 miles southeast of Boise.