Twin Falls, Idaho — A gunman armed with an AR-style rifle opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon, killing three people, including himself, and leaving at least five others injured. The shooting unfolded at around 2 p.m. local time on August 1, 2026, according to Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks.
Hicks told reporters during a news conference that the incident began inside or near the restaurant before spilling into the parking lot and surrounding areas. He confirmed that the shooter was among the dead but said his identity and motive were not yet known. "We believe the threat to the community is over," Hicks said. "It was a very chaotic scene."
Shooting Spills Into Parking Lot
The violence erupted at the In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, a city in southern Idaho, and quickly extended beyond the building. Witnesses captured dramatic video showing the gunman moving through the parking lot with a firearm, apparently firing at vehicles and bystanders.
One video, recorded from inside a nearby vehicle, shows a man wearing a black T-shirt and blue pants standing between two parked Teslas. He then aims what appears to be a gun at the driver's-side window of a blue vehicle and fires two shots in quick succession, each producing a visible muzzle flash. After lowering the weapon, he walks briskly away before breaking into a run across the parking lot, still carrying the rifle.
The person filming suddenly drops the camera as they duck for cover, and a panicked voice can be heard saying, "Get down … I don’t have service." The footage, shared widely on social media, underscores the chaos that gripped the area during the attack.
The video was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on August 2, 2026, by an account named A Storm, and quickly circulated online. The caption described the scene: "Watch new video of the gunman opening fire and firing several shots into a parked Tesla in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he then opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger, where dozens of people ran to take cover."
Casualties and Medical Response
According to The Sun, at least three people were killed, with at least five others injured. Twin Falls city spokesperson Josh Palmer told NBC News that he expects that number to increase as authorities continue to account for victims. Police Chief Hicks acknowledged that he did not yet have an exact count of the dead and wounded, noting that officials were still in the process of notifying next of kin. "It was a very chaotic scene," he reiterated.
Emergency responders descended on the restaurant and its parking lot, while law enforcement secured the perimeter and began gathering evidence. Hicks assured the public that there was no ongoing threat, but urged residents to avoid the area as the investigation continued.
In-N-Out Burger Owner Heartbroken
Lynsi Snyder, owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, expressed her devastation in a post on Instagram on Saturday night. "My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed," she wrote. "We lost one of our beautiful associates tonight. She was taking care of our most important asset – our customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own."
Snyder’s statement confirmed that a restaurant staff member was among the dead, making the tragedy deeply personal for the fast-food chain. The company said it was cooperating with authorities and providing support to employees and their families.
Investigation and Community Shock
The attack has left the Twin Falls community mourning and searching for answers. Authorities are working to identify the gunman and determine whether he had any connection to the victims or the restaurant. Chief Hicks said the shooter's identity and motive were not yet known.
Twin Falls, a city in southern Idaho, is not typically the scene of such violence. Residents and local leaders expressed shock and grief, with many taking to social media to share condolences and ask for information. As the investigation proceeds, officials are expected to release more details once they are confirmed.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
