Armed Citizen Stops Idaho Mass Shooter After Three Killed

Clear Facts

• A 24-year-old gunman opened fire at a crowded In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, killing three people and wounding seven others before taking his own life
• Jordan Salinas, 35, a healthcare worker carrying a legally suppressed FN Five-seveN pistol, returned fire alongside an off-duty Idaho state trooper, forcing the shooter to flee
• Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed the armed citizens’ actions “prevented further casualties” and saved many lives
• The shooter’s motive remains under investigation, and authorities are confident he acted alone

An armed citizen is being hailed as a hero after he and an off-duty state trooper engaged a mass shooter at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger, saving countless lives in a crowded restaurant. The Saturday attack left three dead and seven wounded before gunman Chad Williams, 24, took his own life.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks praised the quick actions of those who returned fire. “We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Hicks said.

“We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen, and their heroic action to stop this incident.”

Jordan Salinas, 35, of Kimberly, Idaho, a healthcare worker and full-time caregiver for his wheelchair-bound brother, was lawfully carrying a FN Five-seveN semi-automatic pistol with a suppressor when the shooting began. His girlfriend was inside the restaurant when Williams opened fire.

Salinas told the Idaho Statesman he had taken up firearms training after a 2021 shooting, never before aiming a gun at an animal. When chaos erupted, he applied his training to “observe,” “orient,” and “decide” before taking action.

“He did not like it when bullets started firing both ways,” Salinas said of the gunman’s reaction to armed resistance.

“There’s a task that needs to be done, and we’re the ones who need to do it.”

Salinas reported feeling “no fear” during the encounter, only standing down when police arrived on scene. “OK, my part is done,” he recalled thinking.

Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson echoed the praise for the armed citizens. “These people are true heroes in our community,” Johnson said.

“They diverted the shooter and without a doubt saved many lives.”

The shooting erupted Saturday afternoon at the recently opened restaurant in a busy commercial area where hundreds of shoppers, diners and employees were present. Witness Lane Koehn, 34, was stopped at a nearby traffic light when he saw a man carrying an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru.

Koehn then witnessed another man armed with a handgun begin firing at the shooter. He later saw an In-N-Out employee drag a wounded co-worker who had been shot in the chest across the parking lot.

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

One of the three people killed was an In-N-Out employee. Company owner Lynsi Snyder confirmed the loss in an emotional statement.

“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed,” Snyder said.

“We lost one of our beautiful associates tonight.”

Snyder said the employee had been caring for customers when she was killed. The company pledged support to victims, employees and their families.

Seven people were injured in the attack. As of Sunday, two remained in critical condition, three were listed as stable, and two had been treated and released from a hospital.

Twin Falls resident Haley Dodaro was waiting in the drive-thru with her mother when workers began running from the restaurant. “People were running out crying and screaming,” she said.

“It was very scary.”

Nayeli Rodriguez, inside the restaurant with her daughters, said an employee told customers to get down after gunfire was heard near the kitchen. An older man tried to shield Rodriguez and her children before they escaped.

“We were trying to get as far as we could, and some angels let us in their car,” Rodriguez said.

A local taxi driver, Terry Dudley, was shot twice in the back while charging his Tesla near the restaurant. North Star Taxi said Dudley survived but faces “a very long road ahead.”

Police Chief Hicks said Sunday that investigators were confident Williams acted alone, but detectives had not yet established a motive or fully traced his movements before the shooting. Williams’ family was cooperating with authorities.

The shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound near the restaurant. Detectives are examining his activities before the shooting and trying to determine whether any victims had been deliberately targeted.

Salinas posted a humble Facebook message late Sunday night urging focus on “victims, their families, and everyone affected.”

“The last 24 hours have been overwhelming,” the message read.

“I want to sincerely thank my family, friends, and everyone who has reached out with messages, prayers, and support.”

“For now, my heart remains with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy. Thank you for continuing to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for the incredible support you’ve shown me and my family.”

The FBI asked members of the public to submit photographs and video recorded during the attack. Twin Falls police urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or had relevant information to contact investigators.

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