Police in Twin Falls, Idaho, released surveillance and bodycam footage on Friday showing the chaotic sequence of a mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant that left three people dead and seven others injured. The video, edited to blur faces and omit graphic content, also captures the actions of an unarmed bystander who confronted the gunman on a nearby trail, an act police say likely prevented further loss of life.
Timeline of the Attack
The gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, approached the drive-thru window of the restaurant four times, opening fire each time, according to police. The attack unfolded on a Saturday afternoon, striking victims inside the eatery, just outside, on an adjacent road, and at a car charging station in a visitor center lot. In total, ten people were shot, with three fatalities: Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho.
Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the incident as a "violent, frightening and deeply traumatic" event during a news conference held before the video screening. He noted that investigators have yet to establish a motive for the shooting. Williams, who had briefly attended the College of Southern Idaho and previously lived in Arizona, took his own life on a walking trail as officers closed in.
Heroic Actions Amid Chaos
The footage shows employees and customers fleeing the area as the gunman moved toward a walking trail. There, he encountered Braxton Steube, a man who had fled from a nearby Dick's Sporting Goods store. Steube raised his hands and spoke to Williams, telling him, "I have a family. You don't have to do this. I'll tell you whatever you want. I'll do anything." According to Steube, Williams appeared to tear up and replied, "Just get away from me, man," before firing a shot that missed.
Chief Hicks praised Steube as a hero, stating, "Your courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm. This community is grateful for you, and we will never forget what you did that day." The delay allowed police to catch up to Williams, who then killed himself near a canyon.
Other Responders Recognized
Hicks also commended an off-duty state trooper who exchanged gunfire with Williams through the restaurant window and directed workers to safety, as well as a former police officer, AJ James, who was wounded while confronting the shooter. James, who ran toward the sound of gunfire from the drive-thru, acted "heroically and unbelievably" to slow the attacker, Hicks said, though he declined to release the off-duty officer's name.
Authorities had previously credited an armed civilian who fired back, diverting Williams from the restaurant. The video confirms that at least three people confronted the gunman with their own weapons during the incident.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting has left the community of Twin Falls in shock, with Hicks reflecting that it should have been a "normal Saturday afternoon." Instead, "employees showing up for work. Visitors coming to see our beautiful city. They were confronted with chaos, fear and now loss." The investigation is ongoing, with police continuing to analyze evidence and seek a motive. The released video, an eight-and-a-half-minute compilation, provides a detailed account of the events but omits graphic imagery to respect the victims and their families.
