Police have identified the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting at and around an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Authorities said at least three people were killed and seven others were injured during the attack on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Williams died from what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators have not announced a motive and have not clarified whether the reported death toll includes the shooter.
One of the people killed was an In-N-Out employee, according to company owner Lynsi Snyder. Police had not publicly identified the deceased victims when this report was last verified because authorities were still notifying their families.
At a Glance
- The shooting began at approximately 2:29 p.m. on August 1.
- The attack occurred at and around an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
- Police identified the shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams.
- Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
- At least three deaths and seven injuries have been confirmed.
- Officials have not clarified whether the death count includes Williams.
- An In-N-Out employee was among those killed.
- Police have not announced a motive.
What Happened at the Twin Falls In-N-Out?
Police received the first report of gunfire at approximately 2:29 p.m. on Saturday. The attack unfolded at the newly opened In-N-Out restaurant and in the surrounding parking and commercial area along Blue Lakes Boulevard.
Witnesses described customers and employees running from the building while gunfire continued outside. Nearby businesses entered lockdown, roads were closed and law-enforcement officers from several agencies responded to the area.
Police later found the suspected shooter dead near the restaurant. Authorities said the immediate threat to the community had ended, although the location remained an active crime scene while investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.
Who Was the Shooter?
Twin Falls police identified the shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams.
Police said Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe he acted alone and have warned the public against sharing false claims identifying other people as suspects.
Authorities have not released detailed information about Williams’ background, how he obtained the weapon or what may have led to the attack.
How Many People Were Killed or Injured?
Police confirmed at least three deaths and seven injuries connected to the shooting.
Officials had not clarified whether Williams was included among the three reported deaths. This means the full number of victims killed by the attacker was still unclear when this article was last updated.
Police said three injured victims were in stable condition. Other reports indicated that some patients remained in critical condition, but authorities had not released a complete medical update for every person injured.
Who Were the Victims?
Police had not publicly released the names of the people killed or most of those injured.
In-N-Out confirmed that one of its employees died. The company described the victim as an associate who had been serving customers when the attack occurred.
Local reports identified taxi driver Terry Dudley as one of the surviving victims. A fundraising page created for Dudley said he survived but faced a long recovery. Police had not released his medical details.
Authorities asked the public to respect the victims and their families while official notifications and identification procedures continued.
Did an Armed Bystander Confront the Shooter?
Witnesses reported that an armed civilian fired at the gunman during the attack.
Police also said an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed citizen engaged the shooter. Officials credited their actions with distracting or interrupting the attacker and said their response may have prevented further casualties.
The complete sequence of gunfire remains under investigation. Authorities have not released a final report explaining who fired each shot or whether the shooter was struck by return fire before taking his own life.
What Did Witnesses See?
Witness Lane Koehn told reporters that he saw a person carrying an AR-style rifle emerge near the drive-through area. He then saw another man with a handgun fire toward the shooter.
Koehn also described seeing an employee pull a wounded colleague across the parking lot while people fled the restaurant.
Other customers said employees told people to get down before helping them escape. Some witnesses left their vehicles behind and sought shelter in nearby cars or businesses.
Investigators expect to interview hundreds of people because the attack occurred in a busy commercial area during the afternoon.
Was the In-N-Out Restaurant Newly Opened?
Yes. The Twin Falls location opened on July 24, approximately one week before the shooting.
The restaurant was part of In-N-Out’s expansion into Idaho and had attracted large crowds during its opening period.
The location remained closed after the shooting while authorities processed the crime scene and the company supported employees affected by the attack.
What Is Known About the Motive?
Investigators have not announced a motive.
Police have not confirmed whether the shooter knew any of the victims, targeted the restaurant or selected people at random.
Witness accounts suggested that shots were fired toward people, vehicles and the surrounding area. A final determination will depend on surveillance recordings, witness interviews, digital evidence, ballistics and information collected from the shooter’s family and associates.
Which Agencies Are Investigating?
The Twin Falls Police Department is leading the investigation with support from local, state and federal agencies.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting. Idaho State Police and law-enforcement departments from surrounding communities also responded during the emergency.
The FBI established a digital media tip line for people who recorded photographs, videos or dashcam footage during the shooting.
What Has Been Confirmed
The shooting occurred on August 1 at and around the Twin Falls In-N-Out Burger.
Police identified the shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams.
Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At least three deaths and seven injuries have been reported.
An In-N-Out employee was among the people killed.
An off-duty state trooper and an armed civilian confronted or distracted the shooter.
Authorities believe the immediate threat has ended.
What Remains Unknown
Police have not announced the shooter’s motive.
Officials have not clarified whether Williams is included in the reported death toll.
The names of the deceased victims had not been publicly released.
The final medical conditions of several injured people remain unknown.
Investigators have not released a complete timeline of the attack or final ballistics findings.
How to Stay Safe During an Active Shooting
- Leave the area immediately when a safe escape route is available.
- Do not stop to record videos while you are exposed to danger.
- Leave personal belongings behind if they slow your escape.
- Keep your hands visible when approaching police officers.
- If escape is impossible, hide behind a locked or barricaded door.
- Silence your phone and stay away from windows.
- Call emergency services only when it is safe to speak.
- Do not return to the area until police declare it safe.
- Submit relevant footage directly to investigators instead of posting it online.
- Avoid spreading unconfirmed names, casualty figures or claims about additional shooters.
How Can Witnesses Get Help?
Witnessing a mass shooting can cause fear, sleep problems, anxiety and other trauma responses even when a person was not physically injured.
Local officials made crisis counselors available to people affected by the attack. Residents seeking current support information should contact Twin Falls County authorities or the Idaho 211 CareLine.
Anyone experiencing an immediate mental health crisis in the United States can call or text 988 for confidential support.
Explainedly Analysis
The uncertainty surrounding the fatality count shows why early reporting during a mass-casualty event must remain cautious. Police have confirmed three deaths and the shooter’s suicide, but they have not clearly said whether those numbers overlap.
The reported intervention by an off-duty trooper and an armed civilian is an important part of the investigation, but it should not be simplified before authorities release a complete timeline. Investigators must determine where each person was positioned, when they fired and how their actions affected the shooter.
The priority remains identifying the victims, supporting the injured and determining why the attack occurred. Publicly sharing unverified identities or edited clips risks harming innocent people and complicating the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- A shooting at a Twin Falls In-N-Out left at least three people dead and seven injured.
- Police identified the shooter as 24-year-old Chad Williams.
- Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- An In-N-Out employee was among those killed.
- An off-duty trooper and armed civilian reportedly distracted or confronted the gunman.
- Police have not announced a motive or clarified whether the shooter is included in the death count.
Sources
Twin Falls Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Associated Press
KMVT
NBC News
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