Idaho In-N-Out Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 7 Injured

A mass shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, has left at least three people dead and seven others injured, according to local officials. The suspected shooter, an unidentified male, is also dead. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the scene as ‘tragic’ and ‘chaotic.’

The shooting occurred at around 2 p.m. local time on Saturday at the In-N-Out location on Blue Lakes Boulevard North. Police responded to the scene and urged people to avoid the area, with roads nearby being closed. Shelter-in-place orders were later lifted. The FBI is assisting in the investigation, with information about the suspect and his motivations expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Witnesses described hearing shots from the restaurant’s kitchen and having to flee to their cars. Nayeli Rodriguez, 40, of Burley, was inside waiting for food with her daughters when she heard shots from the kitchen. An employee said it was a shooting and told people to get down. Rodriguez said an older man tried to protect her and her daughters, and they were among the last to run outside.

The In-N-Out branch in Twin Falls had only been open for one week before the shooting, as part of the company’s recent expansion to Idaho. In-N-Out’s chief operating officer Denny Warnick said in a statement that the company was ‘heartbroken’ by the shooting. The FBI’s Salt Lake City office said it was ‘responding’ to assist local law enforcement partners.

Video taken by a driver from across the street captured a shooter, who appeared to be dressed in black, walking up to a white car carrying a long rifle. The person then walked to the trunk and reached inside. At that point, the driver who shot the video left quickly, fearing that the man might be getting more weapons.

The number of people injured in the shooting has risen to seven, with some in critical condition. Officials are still working on notifying the family members of victims and have not yet released the names, ages, or other details about the people hurt in the shooting.