Multiple individuals have tragically lost their lives following a shooting incident at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho. The violent episode, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, resulted in multiple fatalities and several others sustaining injuries.
The assailant, who was armed with an AR-style rifle, was one of the deceased, as announced by Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks during a press briefing. The identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown at this time.
Reports from the Sun indicate that at least three individuals have been killed in the shooting, with at least five others wounded. Chief Hicks stated, “We believe the community is no longer at risk,” although the exact number of casualties and injuries is yet to be confirmed, with authorities still in the process of informing the victims’ families. The scene was described as highly chaotic.
City spokesperson Josh Palmer informed NBC News that the number of injured individuals is expected to rise. Eyewitness Lane Koehn, 34, described seeing a person with an AR-style rifle exiting the drive-thru, followed by another individual with a pistol engaging the shooter in gunfire.
Koehn recounted witnessing an In-N-Out employee pulling a fellow worker, who had been shot in the chest, to safety across the parking lot. Alongside the armed bystander, they remained with the injured employee until paramedics arrived. Koehn expressed hope for the victim’s recovery.
A statement from St. Luke’s Magic Valley spokesperson Taylor Marschner affirmed the medical center’s collaboration with law enforcement and emergency services in managing the situation.
Twin Falls, a city with a population of around 56,000 residents, is situated approximately 130 miles southeast of Boise and 75 miles north of the Nevada border. Idaho Governor Brad Little urged Idahoans to keep the Twin Falls community in their thoughts and prayers while law enforcement and first responders address the active shooter incident near In-N-Out. Residents were advised to avoid the area and comply with law enforcement instructions for their safety.
