Twin Falls Shooting
Multiple Fatalities and Injuries Reported After Twin Falls In-N-Out Restaurant Shooting
Anonymous
A gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho on Saturday, killing two people and wounding two others before being shot dead, according to Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks. The shooting unfolded at 1965 Blue Lakes Blvd North — one of the city's busiest shopping corridors — just eight days after the location celebrated its grand opening.
Twin Falls City Public Information Coordinator Josh Palmer confirmed the toll but warned, "We want to emphasize that that number may change. That was just the first number we got," The Independent reported. A shelter-in-place order was lifted by early evening, and authorities began reopening roads blocked during the response.
How the Shooting Unfolded Inside the Restaurant
The gunman opened fire inside the In-N-Out before 2:30 PM MDT on Saturday. Patrons fled into the surrounding parking lot as shots rang out. By 3:20 PM, Twin Falls Police issued an active threat alert telling everyone to avoid the area. Officers established a perimeter and shut down the Perrine Bridge — the only crossing over the 500-foot-deep Snake River Canyon — effectively cutting off north-south travel for hours.
Twin Falls County Commissioner Brent Reinke was briefed by Sheriff Jack Johnson and told reporters that five people had initially been reported injured. "We're loading people up, all the witnesses, and taking them to different locations for interviews," Reinke said, according to Lethbridge News Now. St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center initiated a partial lockdown to prepare for incoming patients.
Brand-New Restaurant Was Open Just Eight Days
The In-N-Out at Blue Lakes Blvd North had opened on July 24, 2026 — only eight days before the attack. It was the first In-N-Out in the Magic Valley region. The restaurant employed roughly 90 local workers, many of them young adults. The grand opening had drawn enormous crowds, requiring a traffic management plan approved by the Twin Falls City Council.
Twin Falls has a population of about 56,000 and is considered a low-crime community. The shooting added to a difficult year for the city. In April, police fatally shot a stabbing suspect during a SWAT standoff. In July, a drive-by shooting was solved using newly installed license plate cameras, MDJ Online reported.
Governors, Senators, and Officials Respond Quickly
Idaho Governor Brad Little urged residents to stay away from the area. "Idahoans, join me in keeping the Twin Falls community in your prayers as law enforcement and first responders respond to an active shooter situation near In-N-Out," he wrote. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo added: "I urge locals and visitors to obey all directions from law enforcement and report any suspicious activity immediately."
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador praised the response from multiple agencies. "Twin Falls Police, Idaho State Police, and fire and paramedic crews remain on scene working to secure the area," he said. St. Luke's spokesperson Taylor Marschner confirmed the hospital was "working closely with law enforcement and emergency responders" to manage the situation, according to Brandon Sun.
Idaho's Permissive Gun Laws Back in the Spotlight
Idaho is one of the most gun-permissive states in the country. The state allows permitless carry, meaning residents can carry a firearm in public without a license or training. The Twin Falls shooting is likely to reignite debate between gun-control advocates and gun-rights supporters. Some unverified social media posts claimed an armed bystander returned fire, but police have not confirmed any such intervention, HJ News reported.
Officials were careful to control the flow of information. Palmer refused to release the shooter's name or motive until forensic work is complete. Twin Falls has faced active-shooter hoaxes in the past, where fake footage spread rapidly online. Authorities urged the public to rely only on verified updates from the city and law enforcement.
Sentiment
NeutralNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
32
Articles
34
Reach
36
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor