A 17-year-old bystander has shared the chilling details of his encounter with the gunman at an Idaho In-N-Out, revealing how a desperate plea for his life led the shooter to become emotional and spare him. Braxton Stuebe, an employee of a neighboring Dick's Sporting Goods, found himself face-to-face with the gunman outside the restaurant on Saturday evening.

"The only thing I was really thinking was, don’t try and make any sudden movements, don’t try and run. Just hopefully talk to him and hopefully he can change his mind," Stuebe told KMVT-TV. He approached the gunman, identified as Chad Williams, 24, who had already opened fire inside the restaurant. Stuebe recalled telling the shooter, "I have a family. I said, you don’t have to do this. I’ll tell you whatever you want. I’ll do anything."

According to Stuebe, the gunman "started to like tear up a bit, it seemed like. And kind of just got like emotional, it seemed like. And he said to me, just get away from me, man. And a stuttering voice, like as if he was crying."

Williams then fired in Stuebe's direction but missed. The gunman continued down a nature trail, where he eventually died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Surveillance and body camera footage released by the police documented the harrowing events.

Stuebe described the experience as "terrifying and traumatic." In a social media post, he expressed his grief for the community and those affected by the violence. "For this to happen in a town like Twin Falls is heartbreaking," he wrote. "Our community has always been defined by care and compassion, and it is difficult to process that this occurred here."

He also extended thanks to those who intervened and law enforcement agencies. "I want to thank every individual who stepped up on August 1st and put their lives on the line-those who helped save others, those who were injured while protecting the lives of many, and the numerous law enforcement agencies who rushed in to prevent further loss of life."

Stuebe's mother, Aisha White, shared her emotional turmoil on Facebook, stating, "As his mom and parent there are feelings I don’t think I will ever be able to fully put into words. The fear, the heartbreak, the overwhelming gratitude that he is here… it all exists at the same time… my emotions are all over the place."

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks called the shooting "violent, frightening and deeply traumatic." He commended Stuebe's actions, calling him a "hero" whose "courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm."

The shooting began at the In-N-Out restaurant, where Williams fatally shot 23-year-old Ashley Garibay at the drive-thru. He then proceeded to shoot his second victim, 59-year-old Christopher Claunch, before firing on other patrons. An off-duty trooper and former police officer, Austin James, also confronted Williams and was struck by gunfire. The gunman continued his rampage, firing at vehicles and individuals in a parking lot before retreating to a nature trail where he died by suicide.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Local and federal agencies, including the FBI, are seeking public assistance with information and evidence related to the incident.