In Boise, Idaho, a tragic shooting incident occurred at an In-N-Out Burger in southern Idaho. Three people lost their lives, and seven others sustained injuries, some critically. The incident unfolded on a Saturday afternoon, drawing attention to Twin Falls.
According to Josh Palmer, the public information officer for Twin Falls, police found the alleged shooter’s body near the restaurant. It remains unclear if the suspect is among those counted as deceased. Authorities are in the process of notifying victims’ families before releasing the identities, ages, or further details about those injured. Several individuals are in critical condition.
At a press conference, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks mentioned the ongoing efforts to identify the shooter and understand the motive. ‘We believe the threat to the community has ended,’ Hicks stated, describing the scene as chaotic.
Investigators are conducting witness interviews. The restaurant is located in a busy commercial area, where hundreds of people were present during the incident, which occurred around 2 p.m.
Lane Koehn, 34, witnessed the events from a nearby traffic light. He saw someone with a rifle emerge from the drive-thru and a man start shooting at the attacker. ‘I hope she survived,’ Koehn expressed after seeing an In-N-Out staff member dragging a wounded person.
Koehn recounted that the police instructed evacuation, as the shooting hadn’t fully concluded. He observed the attacker firing at least three to four times, with no clear target identified.
Video footage from an onlooker captured the assailant, appearing in black, approach a white vehicle. The person opened doors and the trunk before the driver who filmed left out of fear.
Haley Dodaro, 43, was at the scene with her mother. Initially, she thought there was a fire until informed of a shooter. ‘People were crying and yelling,’ Dodaro shared with The Associated Press.
Nayeli Rodriguez, 40, and her daughters were inside awaiting food. Upon hearing gunshots, they were advised to hit the floor. Rodriguez noted an elderly man attempting to protect them until they could escape, aided by strangers who offered them a ride.
The In-N-Out restaurant had opened recently on July 24 as part of the chain’s expansion into Idaho. Several individuals were transported to the St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. Hospital spokesperson Taylor Marschner confirmed collaboration with law enforcement and emergency services.
Twin Falls, home to 56,000 residents, is located 205 kilometers southeast of Boise and approximately 120 kilometers north of the Nevada border.
Reporter Bellisle contributed from Seattle, with Raza from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This article was translated from English by an AP editor, assisted by an AI tool.