Idaho fast food restaurant shooting leaves 3 dead, city spokesman says

Tragedy Strikes Twin Falls: Fatal Shooting at In-N-Out Leaves Three Dead

Initial Reports and Casualty Count

Ecorescuezone.com – A devastating shooting event unfolded on Saturday afternoon at an In-N-Out Burger location in southern Idaho, resulting in three fatalities and seven additional injuries, according to local officials. Twin Falls city spokesperson Josh Palmer confirmed that several of the wounded individuals remain in critical condition following the incident. The attack occurred approximately around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, catching many customers and employees by surprise during what had been a typical lunch hour.

First responders arrived quickly at the scene and discovered the body of the suspected gunman in proximity to the restaurant premises. Palmer noted uncertainty regarding whether the deceased shooter would be counted among the three confirmed deaths. Authorities continued their efforts to contact and notify family members of all victims, which delayed the public release of specific names, ages, and personal details about those affected by the violence.

Witness Accounts of the Chaos

Lane Koehn, a 34-year-old bystander, provided a vivid description of the events as they unfolded. He was stopped at a nearby traffic light when he observed an individual carrying what appeared to be an AR-style rifle exiting the drive-thru area. Shortly thereafter, another man wielding a pistol began exchanging gunfire with the armed suspect. Koehn watched as an In-N-Out employee dragged a fellow uniformed worker, who was bleeding from a chest wound, across the parking lot toward safety. Koehn, along with the armed civilian and other staff members, remained at the scene until emergency medical personnel arrived to assist the injured woman.

“She was pretty bad off, but I don’t know. I hope she made it,” Koehn said.

According to Koehn, police instructed him and others to evacuate the area while the shooting remained active. He estimated that the gunman discharged at least three or four rounds during the encounter, though it remained unclear whether any specific individuals were targeted or if the attack was indiscriminate.

Video Evidence and Additional Eyewitnesses

Surveillance footage captured by a motorist positioned across the street offered valuable visual documentation of the shooter’s movements. The video showed an individual dressed in dark clothing approaching a white vehicle while carrying a long rifle. The person opened the driver’s side door and then popped open the trunk before reaching inside, possibly retrieving additional weapons. Concerned for her safety, the driver who recorded the footage departed the scene rapidly.

Haley Dodaro, a 43-year-old Twin Falls resident, was in the drive-thru line with her mother when the situation escalated. They witnessed people sprinting across the roadway and restaurant workers fleeing the building. Initially believing a fire might be responsible, Dodaro learned from a traffic director wearing a reflective vest that a shooter was responsible for the commotion.

“So that’s when we knew there was a shooting. People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary,” Dodaro said in a text message to The Associated Press.

Nayeli Rodriguez, 40, from Burley, was inside the restaurant with her daughters when gunfire erupted from the kitchen area. An employee alerted everyone to the danger and instructed them to take cover. Rodriguez described how an older gentleman attempted to shield her and her children, and they were among the final group to exit the building. She recounted how strangers kindly allowed them to ride in their car to safety.

“We were trying to get as far as we could and some angels let us in their car,” Rodriguez said, also via text message. “I left my car there in the parking lot.”

Official Response and Investigation

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks addressed reporters during a news conference held earlier on Saturday. He expressed confidence that the immediate danger to the community had passed, describing the scene as extremely chaotic. Investigators continued interviewing witnesses and working to establish both the shooter’s identity and potential motives behind the attack.

Multiple victims were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center for treatment. Hospital spokesperson Taylor Marschner stated that medical staff were collaborating closely with law enforcement and emergency responders to manage the situation effectively.

The In-N-Out location had opened only about a week prior on July 24, marking part of the company’s recent expansion into Idaho. Twin Falls, home to approximately 56,000 residents, sits roughly 130 miles southeast of Boise and about 75 miles north of the Nevada state line.