Tragic Shooting Incident at In-N-Out Burger in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho — A tragic shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon resulted in three fatalities and injuries to seven others. Some of those injured are in critical condition. The event occurred at a busy shopping plaza around 2 p.m., leaving the community shaken. Twin Falls city public information officer, Josh Palmer, reported that the suspected gunman’s body was found near the restaurant. It is unclear whether the suspect is included in the death count.

Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed efforts are underway to identify the shooter and understand the motive. During a news conference, Hicks assured the community that the threat is over, describing the scene as chaotic. Investigators continue to interview witnesses for more details.

“We believe the threat to the community is over,” Hicks stated.

Witness Lane Koehn observed the distressing scene from a nearby stoplight. A shooter wielding an AR-style rifle confronted a man with a pistol, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Koehn described witnessing an In-N-Out employee assisting another uniformed worker who was wounded, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Video footage captured across the street further revealed the shooter dressed in black, appearing to prepare for further action by accessing a white car’s trunk. A driver capturing the video left quickly out of fear.

Among those impacted, Haley Dodaro was waiting in the drive-thru line when panic erupted. Initially believing it was a fire, she realized the gravity of the situation when informed by a traffic director.

“People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary,” Dodaro shared.

Nayeli Rodriguez recounted her experience inside the restaurant with her daughters. Shots rang out from the kitchen, prompting an employee to advise everyone to take cover. Rodriguez reported being aided by others in their escape.

“We were trying to get as far as we could and some angels let us in their car,” Rodriguez mentioned.

The recent opening of the In-N-Out Burger on July 24 marked the company’s expansion into Idaho. Despite the joyous occasion, the violent incident led to multiple individuals being admitted to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. Hospital spokesperson Taylor Marschner expressed commitment to working with law enforcement and emergency responders.

Twin Falls, with a population of around 56,000, lies southeast of Boise and north of the Nevada border.