A shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday, August 1, resulted in three fatalities and at least two injuries, with authorities confirming the suspected gunman is among the dead.
Police declared the threat to the community over shortly after the incident, though investigators continue to work to determine the shooter’s identity and motive. The attack unfolded near a busy commercial area on Blue Lakes Boulevard North, prompting a large-scale emergency response and temporary closures of nearby roads and businesses.
Immediate Response & Core Facts
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated during a press conference that the shooting began shortly before 2:30 p.m. local time near the In-N-Out location, which had opened just days earlier on July 24. Hicks described the scene as ‘very chaotic’ and confirmed that the suspected shooter was deceased. He noted that authorities were still notifying next of kin and had not yet released the exact number of fatalities or injuries, though multiple sources reported three dead and two injured.
The Twin Falls Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order and shut down nearby roads, including a bridge, as officers and emergency crews responded. The order was later lifted, and roads were reopened as the investigation progressed. Joshua Palmer, a city spokesperson, told reporters that the number of victims ‘may change’ as officials continue to assess the situation.
Deeper Dive & Context
Witness Accounts & Scene Details
Eyewitnesses described a rapid and violent sequence of events. Lane Koehn, a local resident, said he was stopped at a traffic light near the restaurant when he saw a person emerge from the drive-thru carrying an AR-style rifle. Another man, armed with a pistol, then opened fire at the suspect. Koehn later witnessed an In-N-Out employee dragging a wounded coworker, who had been shot in the chest, across the parking lot. He stated the injured employee appeared ‘pretty bad off’ but did not know her condition.
Haley Dodaro, who was in the drive-thru with her mother, said they saw people running across the road and workers fleeing the restaurant. Video footage obtained by multiple outlets showed individuals fleeing the shopping center parking lot as gunshots rang out. In one clip, a person carrying what appeared to be a firearm was seen approaching a parked sedan, opening the driver-side door and the trunk before the videographer left the scene.
Law Enforcement & Investigation
Authorities from multiple agencies, including the FBI, are assisting in the investigation. Hicks confirmed that hundreds of people who were in the area at the time are being interviewed. The Twin Falls County Coroner’s Office and St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center are working to confirm the identities of the deceased and injured.
The Twin Falls Police Department initially described the incident as an ‘active shooter situation’ and urged residents and visitors to avoid the area. Nearby businesses, including a Chick-fil-A and the Magic Valley Mall, were temporarily closed as a precaution. The mall later reopened after authorities lifted the lockdown.
Unanswered Questions & Ongoing Work
Investigators have not yet determined the motive behind the shooting or the identity of the suspect. Hicks stated that officials were still in the process of notifying families and cautioned that the number of casualties could rise as more information becomes available. The FBI’s involvement suggests the possibility of a federal review, though no further details have been provided.
Community & Political Response
Idaho Governor Brad Little issued a statement urging residents to keep the Twin Falls community in their prayers as law enforcement continued its response. Local officials described the day as ‘a tragic day’ for the city, which has a population of approximately 56,000 people.
The In-N-Out location, the fourth in Idaho, had only been open for a week before the shooting. The chain has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.
What We Know So Far
- Three people were killed, including the suspected gunman.
- At least two others were injured, with officials warning the number may rise.
- The shooting occurred near a busy commercial area with multiple retailers and a movie theater.
- Police declared the threat over but continue investigating the motive.
- Hundreds of witnesses are being interviewed, and authorities have not released the suspect’s identity.
- Roads and nearby businesses were temporarily closed during the response.