What began as a stop for lunch turned into a life-or-death situation for Jordan Salinas. The 35-year-old healthcare worker was inside an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, when a gunman opened fire on customers and employees Saturday afternoon. Authorities say his response, along with that of an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper, was instrumental in preventing an even higher death toll.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said Sunday that the gunman was 24-year-old Chad Williams, who acted alone and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack left at least three people dead and seven others injured.
Although investigators have not yet determined what motivated the shooting, Hicks said the quick response from the armed citizen and the off-duty trooper changed the course of the attack. “We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” the police chief said during a news conference. He also described their actions as “heroic” and thanked both men for their response.
Police have not officially identified the citizen who returned fire, but Salinas has publicly identified himself as the man who confronted Williams and recounted what happened to the local newspaper Idaho Statesman.
According to Salinas, he and his girlfriend had stopped at the restaurant for lunch before heading to Hagerman to go horseback riding. At first, he believed there had been a fire in the restaurant’s kitchen, but then he heard multiple gunshots and realized there was an active shooter.
Salinas said he reacted by following a process he had practiced for years: “observe,” “orient,” “decide” and “act.” He said he began firearms training after the October 2021 shooting at Boise Towne Square mall that left two people dead and, until Saturday, had never pointed a gun at another person.
“He did not like it when bullets started firing both ways,” Salinas said, recalling the moment he returned fire at the attacker. He also said he never felt afraid during the confrontation. “There’s a task that needs to be done, and we’re the ones who need to do it,” he said, explaining why he chose to intervene.
Witnesses say that response allowed many people to escape the restaurant. Lane Koehn, who was stopped at a traffic light outside the In-N-Out when the shooting began, told NBC News that he saw the attacker emerge from the drive-thru carrying an AR-style rifle and firing at several vehicles. “I could tell he was trying to figure out where to go, and somebody in the drive-thru line with a handgun was shooting at him,” Koehn told the outlet.
The witness described the gunman as “panicked,” moving erratically while searching for new targets. “The shooter was solely focused on him, and [it] allowed us to get out,” Koehn added. “I mean, the car directly ahead of me was getting shot — it gave them time to leave.”
Authorities believe Salinas and the off-duty state trooper diverted the gunman’s attention while customers and employees fled the restaurant. Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson praised their actions. “These people are true heroes in our community. They diverted the shooter and without a doubt saved many lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, investigators continue piecing together the timeline of the attack through interviews with hundreds of witnesses and by reviewing surveillance footage and cellphone videos. The FBI has also asked members of the public to submit any photos or recordings that could help the investigation.
So far, authorities maintain that Williams acted alone and said his family is cooperating with investigators. However, they have not yet determined what prompted him to open fire inside a busy restaurant on a Saturday afternoon.
Police confirmed that one of those killed was an employee of the restaurant. In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder mourned the loss in a statement posted on social media: “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.”
Among the seven people injured was Terry Dudley, a taxi driver who was shot while charging his electric vehicle near the restaurant. According to his family, he remains hospitalized and is showing signs of improvement.
Hours after the attack, Salinas posted a message on Facebook thanking people for their support while urging them to keep the focus on those most affected by the tragedy. “For now, my heart remains with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy,” he wrote.
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