Off-Duty Trooper and Armed Civilian Praised After Stopping Deadly Idaho In-N-Out Shooting

Two people who stepped in during a deadly shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, are being praised by police for their actions that officials say may have prevented more deaths.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks credited an off-duty state trooper and an armed civilian for responding during the attack, saying their intervention helped force the gunman away from the scene. The shooting left three people dead and seven others injured, creating shock across the Idaho community.

Authorities are still investigating what led to the attack, including a possible motive. Still, officials say the quick actions of those who intervened played an important role in limiting the tragedy.

Police Credit Two Bystanders With Preventing More Deaths

According to police, multiple emergency calls came in around 2:29 p.m. Saturday as customers reported gunfire and screaming coming from the restaurant.

Chief Hicks said dispatchers could hear chaos unfolding in the background while officers rushed to respond. During the active shooting, an off-duty state trooper and an armed member of the public returned fire toward the suspect.

“We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Hicks said during a Sunday news conference.

Authorities praised both individuals for stepping into an extremely dangerous situation. Their identities have not been officially released.

Three People Killed, Seven Others Injured

The attack claimed the lives of three people, including an In-N-Out employee and two customers, according to a statement from company President Lynsi Snyder.

Snyder described the loss as heartbreaking, saying the restaurant had lost one of its employees along with customers who were going about their day.

“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed,” Snyder said in a statement.

The company said it was mourning with the victims’ families and offering support during what it called an extremely painful time.

Two of the injured victims were reported to be in critical condition following the shooting.

Gunman Identified as Investigation Continues

Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Police said Williams died shortly after the attack from a self-inflicted shotgun wound.

Investigators believe he acted alone, but officials have not determined what motivated the shooting.

The FBI is assisting local authorities with the investigation and has created a tip portal for anyone with information about the case.

Chief Hicks urged members of the public to come forward with any details that could help investigators understand what happened.

“Even the smallest detail may be important to our investigation,” Hicks said.

Witnesses Describe Chaos Inside Busy Shopping Area

The shooting happened at a recently opened In-N-Out location on Blue Lakes Boulevard North, inside a busy shopping plaza.

The restaurant had opened only days earlier on July 24 and was located in an area with hundreds of people nearby when the first shots were fired.

One witness described seeing an employee wearing an In-N-Out uniform suffering from a gunshot wound. The witness said another employee helped move the injured person across the parking lot while waiting for medical assistance.

The account highlighted the confusion and fear that spread through the area as people tried to escape the violence.

Community Responds After Rare Restaurant Tragedy

Twin Falls, a city of roughly 56,000 residents located about 130 miles southeast of Boise, has been left shaken by the attack.

For many residents, the shooting brought grief and disbelief to a community that officials described as deeply affected by the sudden violence.

Local leaders and law enforcement have focused on supporting victims’ families while continuing the investigation.

The incident has also renewed conversations about public safety and the challenges of responding quickly during active shootings.

Officials Continue Searching for Answers

While police have confirmed key details about the attack, many questions remain unanswered.

Investigators are working to determine what happened before the shooting, what motivated the suspect, and whether any warning signs existed.

Authorities have encouraged anyone with information, photos, videos, or observations from the scene to contact investigators.

As Twin Falls begins the process of healing, officials continue to recognize the actions of those who intervened while remembering the victims whose lives were lost.

The investigation remains ongoing, but police say the response of the off-duty trooper and armed civilian changed the outcome of a devastating situation.