Three people were killed and seven others were injured, some critically, after gunfire erupted Saturday afternoon at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, according to city officials.
Police responding to the crowded commercial area found the suspected shooter dead near the restaurant. Authorities said the immediate danger had ended, but investigators were still working to identify the gunman, determine a motive and establish the full sequence of events.
It was not immediately clear whether the suspected shooter was included among the three reported deaths. Early official accounts also differed over the number of injured people, reflecting the confusion confronting emergency crews during the first hours after the attack. The casualty figures could be revised as authorities complete notifications and receive updates from hospitals.
Officials had not released the names or ages of the victims Saturday night because relatives were still being contacted. Several injured people were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center, which said it was coordinating with law enforcement and emergency responders.
TRENDING TODAY
The shooting began at approximately 2 p.m. near the restaurant’s drive-thru in a busy shopping plaza. Hundreds of shoppers, restaurant customers and employees were reportedly in the surrounding area when the first shots were heard. Police closed nearby roads and instructed the public to avoid the scene while officers searched the area and treated victims.
Witnesses described customers hiding inside the restaurant before employees directed them toward safety. Others reported seeing workers and shoppers running across the parking lot as the shooting continued.
One witness said he saw a person carrying an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru area. He also reported seeing another armed man fire toward the suspected shooter. Police had not publicly confirmed that full account or explained whether the second armed person was a civilian, security officer or law-enforcement official.
Video recorded from across the street appeared to show a person dressed in dark clothing approaching a white vehicle while carrying a long gun. The individual opened the vehicle and reached into its trunk before the person recording the footage drove away. Investigators will likely examine that video alongside surveillance recordings, physical evidence and statements from the large number of witnesses.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the location as an extremely chaotic scene but said officers believed the threat to the wider community had ended. Police asked anyone who witnessed the shooting or recorded relevant video to contact investigators.
The restaurant had opened on July 24, only about a week before the attack, as part of In-N-Out’s expansion into Idaho. Its recent opening may have contributed to the unusually large crowd gathered around the restaurant on Saturday afternoon.
Twin Falls has a population of approximately 56,000 and is located around 130 miles southeast of Boise. The shooting disrupted one of the city’s busiest shopping districts, forcing surrounding businesses to restrict access while emergency crews worked at the scene.
The presence of another armed individual described by witnesses is likely to become a major part of the investigation. Authorities will need to determine who fired each round, whether anyone attempted to intervene and which weapon caused each injury. Until ballistic evidence and witness statements are fully reviewed, online claims about multiple attackers or the actions that ended the shooting should be treated cautiously.
The investigation will also examine whether the restaurant or particular individuals were deliberately targeted. Police had not announced evidence of a personal dispute, ideological motive or connection between the suspected shooter and the victims as of early Sunday.
For the families involved, the immediate focus remains on identifying those killed and supporting the injured. For the wider Twin Falls community, the attack is likely to raise questions about emergency preparedness and security in crowded commercial spaces where hundreds of people may be present but have few protected areas during a sudden attack.
Why It Matters
The shooting caused multiple deaths and serious injuries in a busy public location filled with families, employees and shoppers. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the incident may have lasting effects on witnesses, emergency personnel and local businesses.
Accurate reporting is especially important while the investigation remains active. Unverified videos and conflicting early accounts can create confusion about the number of attackers, the actions of armed bystanders and the motive behind the violence.
What Comes Next
Police are expected to release the identities of the suspected shooter and victims after relatives have been notified. Investigators will analyze surveillance video, weapons, ballistic evidence and witness statements to establish exactly how the shooting unfolded.
Officials may also provide revised casualty figures and additional information about the conditions of those hospitalized. The article should be updated when police confirm whether the gunman is included in the reported death toll and whether anyone else fired a weapon during the incident.
Eyewitness video from the scene appeared to capture gunfire and the chaotic emergency response near the Twin Falls restaurant. Authorities had not confirmed claims that more than one person was involved.
WATCH: Video reportedly shows one of the two believed suspects opening fire with what appears to be an AR-style rifle in a parking lot in Twin Falls, Idaho. No word on casualties. pic.twitter.com/eBo3zagILN
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) August 1, 2026
