Multiple individuals have lost their lives following a tragic incident where a shooter entered a fast food establishment and initiated gunfire. The distressing event took place at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
The perpetrator, armed with an AR-style rifle, was among the deceased, as confirmed by Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks during a press briefing. The identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown at this time.
Reports indicate that at least three individuals have been killed and five others wounded in the shooting, according to sources like the Sun. Chief Hicks stated that the community is no longer under threat, although the exact number of casualties is yet to be determined, with authorities still in the process of notifying the next of kin. He described the scene as highly chaotic.
City spokesperson Josh Palmer informed NBC News that the number of injured individuals is expected to rise. Eyewitness Lane Koehn, aged 34, recounted seeing a person armed with a rifle at the In-N-Out drive-thru, followed by another individual with a pistol engaging the shooter in gunfire.
Koehn described witnessing an In-N-Out employee assisting a colleague, both in uniform, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. He and the individual with the pistol stayed with the injured employee until paramedics arrived.
A spokesperson from St. Luke’s Magic Valley medical center mentioned collaborating closely with law enforcement and emergency responders to manage the situation. Twin Falls, a city with a population of around 56,000 residents, is located approximately 130 miles southeast of Boise and 75 miles north of the Nevada border.
Idaho Governor Brad Little urged the community to keep Twin Falls in their thoughts and prayers as authorities and first responders address the active shooter incident near In-N-Out. He advised the public to avoid the area and comply with law enforcement instructions for their safety.