Three people were killed and seven wounded Saturday when a gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks identified the shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Hicks said Sunday that police are working to determine Williams' motivations and that his family is cooperating with law enforcement. According to CBS News, a relative confirmed that Christopher Claunch, 59, was one of those killed. The president of In-N-Out said one of their employees was also among the dead, and a family representative identified her as Ashley Garibay, 23.
The shooting unfolded before 2:30 p.m. local time. Social media video obtained by CBS News shows people fleeing a shopping center parking lot as multiple gunshots ring out. A person carrying what appeared to be a firearm could be seen outside the restaurant opening the doors to a parked sedan.
"First responders faced what was described as one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer can face in their career," Hicks told reporters Sunday.
An off-duty police officer and a civilian both engaged Williams and returned fire. "We believe their actions drove the suspect from the scene, preventing further casualties," Hicks said. The Idaho Statesman reported that the civilian who returned fire was Jordan Salinas, a 35-year-old from Kimberly, Idaho. "He did not like it when bullets started firing both ways," Salinas told the paper Sunday morning. He posted a message on Facebook thanking the public for their support and promising to share more of his story when he is able.
Another bystander also ran toward the danger. Marcus James told CBS News his son Austin ran toward the gunman but intentionally did not draw his own firearm because he did not want law enforcement to mistake him for the attacker. Austin was shot and critically wounded when he came face-to-face with the shooter. Austin's wife and a friend, both emergency room nurses, treated him at the scene before he was rushed to a hospital.
The College of Southern Idaho confirmed to CBS News that Williams had been a student there from August 2022 to December 2023 and that he did not graduate with a credential. The college said it will cooperate with law enforcement. Investigators said they are confident Williams acted alone.