At least 3 dead, 2 injured in Twin Falls Shooting

A violent shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon has left multiple people dead and others injured, authorities confirmed. The suspect, believed to be a lone gunman, is also dead. The incident unfolded in a busy commercial area of the city, sending patrons and employees fleeing for safety and prompting a large-scale emergency response .

The shooting occurred at the In-N-Out location on Blue Lakes Boulevard, a popular and bustling area of Twin Falls. The restaurant had only been open for about a week, having celebrated its grand opening on July 24 as part of the chain's expansion into Idaho . The scene quickly became chaotic, with video footage showing customers and workers in red aprons running from the restaurant as shots rang out .

The Shooting and Immediate Response

The Twin Falls Police Department responded to the scene of an active shooter situation on August 1. The initial response led to a large-scale lockdown of the area, with the Perrine Bridge and surrounding roads being shut down . Officers from multiple agencies, including the Twin Falls, Buhl, and Jerome Police Departments, as well as Idaho State Police, converged on the scene . The Twin Falls Fire Department and Magic Valley Paramedics were also present to attend to the injured .

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the threat to the community is over. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks stated, "We believe that the threat to the community is over" . Authorities later confirmed that the shooter was deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound . The exact number of fatalities and injuries has not been officially released, as police are in the process of notifying next of kin. However, officials have confirmed to CNN that at least three people were killed, though it remains unclear if the shooter is included in that initial count .

Witness Accounts

Witnesses described scenes of terror and confusion. Lane Koehn, who was at a stoplight near the In-N-Out, told the Associated Press that he saw a person with an AR-style rifle emerge from the drive-thru. He described a man with a pistol engaging the shooter and an employee dragging a wounded co-worker across the parking lot . "She was pretty bad off, but I don't know. I hope she made it," Koehn said .

Another witness, Haley Dodaro, who was waiting in the drive-thru line, told the AP that she saw people running and workers fleeing the restaurant. "People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary," Dodaro said . Nayeli Rodriguez, who was inside with her daughters, told the AP that she heard shots from the kitchen and was told to get down. She said a man protected her and her daughters before they were able to escape .

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation is active, with authorities working to identify the shooter and determine a motive . Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks noted that authorities are working to determine the suspect's identity and any possible motivations . Duane Rubink, chief of the neighboring Jerome Police Department, told CNN that the scene is still under investigation and will likely remain so for some time .

Police have advised the public to be cautious of misinformation circulating on social media and to await official updates . Twin Falls Public Information Officer Josh Palmer reiterated this, urging people to "be cautious" about unverified information online .

The community, a city of about 56,000 people located approximately 130 miles southeast of Boise, is now in a state of mourning and shock following the tragic event at a popular new establishment . The investigation is expected to continue as authorities piece together the sequence of events and the circumstances leading to the shooting.