Three victims were killed and seven others were injured after a gunman opened fire near an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, according to authorities. The suspected shooter, identified by police as 24-year-old Chad Williams, later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The violence unfolded during a busy Saturday afternoon along Blue Lakes Boulevard North, a heavily traveled commercial corridor near the Twin Falls Visitor Center, the Magic Valley Mall and several restaurants and retail businesses. The In-N-Out location had opened only about a week before the attack and was reportedly crowded when the gunfire began.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said investigators believe Williams acted alone. Authorities were still examining his background, movements and possible motive as detectives interviewed witnesses, reviewed digital evidence and processed the sprawling crime scene.

Officials also credited an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed private citizen with confronting the shooter and returning fire. Police believe their intervention forced Williams away from the restaurant’s crowded immediate area and may have prevented additional deaths and injuries.

What Happened During the Twin Falls In-N-Out Shooting?

Twin Falls police received the first emergency reports at approximately 2:29 p.m. local time. Dispatchers were flooded with panicked 911 calls describing gunfire near the In-N-Out Burger on Blue Lakes Boulevard.

During at least one call, a dispatcher could reportedly hear screaming and gunshots in the background. Witnesses described customers and employees running from the building and drive-thru while people in nearby vehicles attempted to escape the area.

Authorities said the shooter fired around the restaurant, its parking area, the drive-thru lane and nearby traffic. Video recorded by witnesses appeared to show a man dressed in dark clothing carrying a long rifle near vehicles outside the restaurant.

Other witness footage reportedly captured people fleeing through the shopping center as emergency vehicles converged on the area. Some employees helped guide customers to the ground or toward exits, while bystanders attempted to assist people who had been wounded.

Hicks later described the scene confronting responding officers as one of the most chaotic situations a law-enforcement officer could encounter. Hundreds of people may have been in or around the commercial district when the shooting began, creating an enormous challenge for emergency personnel trying to identify the shooter, locate victims and move civilians to safety.

Police Identify the Gunman as Chad Williams

At a Sunday news conference, Twin Falls police identified the suspected shooter as Chad Williams, 24. Investigators said they were confident he carried out the attack alone and that there was no continuing threat to the public.

Williams was reportedly armed with a rifle and a handgun. His body was found near the scene after the confrontation, and police said he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities had not released a motive as of Sunday evening. Hicks said members of Williams’ family were cooperating fully with investigators and were also devastated by what had occurred.

Detectives are expected to examine the suspect’s electronic devices, communications, recent activities, weapon history and any personal connections to the location or victims. Investigators have not publicly said whether the victims were deliberately targeted or struck during an indiscriminate attack.

Police also warned the public about misinformation circulating online. A different man had reportedly been falsely identified on social media as the gunman. Hicks emphasized that the individual had no involvement in the shooting.

Three Victims Killed and Seven Others Injured

Updated information released Sunday indicated that three victims were killed during the Twin Falls shooting. The gunman’s death was separate from that victim count, meaning four people died in connection with the incident.

One of the people killed was a female In-N-Out employee. The company confirmed her death in an emotional statement from In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder, who said the worker had been serving customers when her life was taken.

Authorities had not publicly released the victims’ names while notifications to relatives were being completed. Officials asked the public to respect the privacy of the families and avoid spreading unverified names or photographs.

Seven additional people suffered gunshot wounds. As of Sunday afternoon, two remained in critical condition, three were listed in stable condition and two had been treated and released from the hospital.

One injured man was reportedly shot while charging an electric vehicle near the restaurant. After being wounded, he was able to call 911 and contact a friend before being taken for treatment and later airlifted to a hospital in Boise.

The severity of the attack placed substantial pressure on local emergency services. Paramedics and firefighters had to enter an uncertain scene, triage victims and coordinate transportation while police continued searching the surrounding area.

Off-Duty Trooper and Armed Citizen Returned Fire

One of the most significant details disclosed by police involved the intervention of an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed private citizen.

According to Chief Hicks, both individuals fired at the gunman during the attack. Their actions appeared to redirect Williams away from the restaurant and the large concentration of customers, employees and passing motorists.

“We believe these actions drove the suspect from the scene and prevented further casualties,” Hicks said while discussing the confrontation.

Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson also praised the two men, describing them as heroes whose actions diverted the shooter and likely saved lives.

Authorities did not immediately release their identities. Police also had not publicly stated whether either person struck Williams with gunfire. The medical findings cited by investigators indicated that the gunman ultimately died from a wound he inflicted on himself.

The citizen and off-duty trooper will likely be interviewed in detail as part of the investigation. Their firearms, positions and actions may also be examined through ballistics evidence and available video to reconstruct the sequence of events accurately.

Massive Emergency Response Across Twin Falls

The shooting triggered a large response involving the Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County law enforcement, Idaho State Police, firefighters, paramedics and federal authorities.

The FBI offered investigative assistance and established a method for members of the public to submit photographs, videos, audio recordings and other digital evidence. Because the attack happened in a crowded commercial district, authorities believe a large number of witnesses may possess information that could help establish the precise timeline.

Surrounding roads were closed as officers secured the area, searched nearby locations and allowed emergency crews to reach victims. The Perrine Bridge was also temporarily affected by traffic restrictions before reopening in both directions.

Nearby stores and public facilities were placed under lockdown or shelter-in-place procedures. The Magic Valley Mall was among the locations affected as police worked to determine whether the gunman had acted alone and whether any additional threat remained.

The area near the restaurant and Twin Falls Visitor Center remained closed for an extended period while investigators photographed the scene, marked evidence and documented damaged vehicles and buildings. Officials later lifted the lockdowns and road restrictions after declaring that the public was no longer in immediate danger.

St. Luke’s Magic Valley Responds to Influx of Patients

Multiple victims were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center following the shooting. The hospital issued a critical alert urging members of the public to avoid the facility unless they were experiencing an emergency.

Visitor access was temporarily restricted so medical personnel could focus resources on treating the wounded, protecting patients and managing the sudden increase in emergency activity.

Cases requiring a higher level of trauma care could be transferred or airlifted to other regional hospitals, including facilities in Boise. Emergency departments routinely activate special protocols during mass-casualty events to coordinate operating rooms, blood supplies, trauma teams and patient communication.

The hospital later began returning to normal operations as the immediate emergency stabilized. Officials thanked healthcare workers, first responders and members of the community who assisted during the crisis.

Witnesses Describe Chaos Around the Restaurant

People who were inside and near the In-N-Out described a terrifying and confusing sequence of events. Some initially believed there might have been a fire after seeing workers and customers rush from the building.

Others reported seeing a man carrying a rifle through the drive-thru area. Witnesses said gunfire struck vehicles as motorists attempted to leave or take cover.

One witness saw an In-N-Out employee pull a wounded coworker across the parking area. Bystanders remained with the injured worker until paramedics could reach her.

Inside the restaurant, an employee reportedly instructed customers to get down. Families sheltered together before running outside and receiving help from people who allowed them into their vehicles.

These witness accounts remain part of an active investigation and may be refined as police compare them with surveillance footage, cellphone video, 911 recordings and physical evidence from the scene.

Newly Opened In-N-Out Becomes Scene of Tragedy

The Twin Falls In-N-Out had opened on July 24, only eight days before the shooting. The restaurant was part of the California-based company’s expansion into Idaho and had attracted considerable interest from residents.

Its recent opening likely contributed to the large number of people near the property on Saturday afternoon. The restaurant sits in a prominent commercial area near major roads, shopping destinations and the Twin Falls Visitor Center.

In-N-Out leadership expressed grief over the death of its employee and said the company would mourn alongside the victims’ families. The company also pledged to cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation continued.

Information about when the restaurant will reopen had not been confirmed. Decisions regarding the property are expected to account for the police investigation, repairs, employee welfare and the need for counseling.

Community Counseling and Support Resources

The shooting has left the Twin Falls community struggling with grief and shock. Local officials arranged free crisis counseling at Rock Creek Elementary School for people directly affected by the attack.

Police said they were working to make additional counseling available throughout the week. Those resources may support victims, witnesses, restaurant workers, first responders and relatives who experienced or observed the violence.

Exposure to a mass shooting can produce lasting psychological effects even among people who were not physically injured. Officials encouraged residents to seek professional support rather than dismissing symptoms such as anxiety, sleeplessness, fear, recurring memories or difficulty returning to public places.

Community groups and local leaders are also expected to organize memorials and support efforts once authorities release additional information about the victims.

What Investigators Are Examining

The investigation now centers on identifying a motive and reconstructing Williams’ actions before and during the attack.

Detectives will likely review security-camera recordings from In-N-Out, surrounding businesses, traffic systems and nearby vehicles. Investigators may also examine the legal ownership and purchase history of the guns recovered at the scene.

The FBI has asked anyone with relevant video, audio or photographs to submit the material. Even recordings made before the first shots were fired could help investigators determine when the suspect arrived, how he moved through the area and whether he interacted with anyone beforehand.

Police are also interviewing potentially hundreds of witnesses. Because memories can differ during traumatic events, investigators will compare individual accounts with recordings and physical evidence before establishing a final timeline.

Authorities have not indicated when a complete investigative report will be released. Information may continue to change as victims’ conditions are updated and detectives verify additional evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What We Know So Far

The Twin Falls In-N-Out shooting began shortly after 2:29 p.m. on August 1, 2026. Authorities say Chad Williams opened fire in a crowded commercial area, killing three victims and wounding seven others.

An off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen returned fire, an intervention that police believe redirected the gunman and prevented additional casualties. Williams later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The motive remains unknown. Investigators are reviewing a large amount of video, witness testimony and physical evidence while the Twin Falls community mourns those killed and supports the people who remain hospitalized.