Idaho community mourns after Saturday’s attack at a newly opened restaurant; investigation into shooter’s identity and motive remains ongoing.

A shooting at a busy Twin Falls shopping district Saturday afternoon left three people dead and at least seven others wounded, according to local authorities, in an attack that has shaken this southern Idaho community of roughly 56,000 people.

Police responded to reports of an active shooter shortly before 2:30 p.m. at an In-N-Out Burger location on Blue Lakes Boulevard North, a heavily trafficked commercial strip lined with hotels, retailers, and restaurants. The restaurant had opened only about a week earlier, on July 24, as part of the chain’s recent expansion into Idaho.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks told reporters at an evening press conference that the suspected shooter was found dead near the scene. Investigators have not yet released the shooter’s identity or determined a motive.

“We believe that the threat to the community is over,” Hicks said, describing the scene as chaotic in the immediate aftermath. A police chief from the neighboring city of Jerome told CNN it appeared the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though Twin Falls officials have not confirmed how the shooter died.

Witnesses described a frightening scene as the attack unfolded. One bystander told the Associated Press he saw a person carrying an AR-style rifle emerge near the restaurant’s drive-through, followed by another man who began firing a pistol at the shooter. Video circulating on social media appeared to show multiple armed individuals in the area, which police say has complicated efforts to piece together exactly what happened. Officials have specifically asked the public not to spread unverified claims about the shooter’s identity while the investigation continues.

The Victims

Among those killed was an In-N-Out employee who was working at the time of the attack. In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder confirmed the loss in a statement, saying the company had lost “one of our beautiful Associates” and extending condolences to the victim’s family and coworkers. The company’s chief operating officer, Denny Warnick, said in a separate statement that the company was “heartbroken” and was cooperating fully with the police investigation.

A witness told the Associated Press he watched a fellow employee and another bystander drag a wounded In-N-Out worker, bleeding from a gunshot wound, across the parking lot, and that they stayed with her until paramedics arrived.

Police said multiple injured victims were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. The hospital said in a statement that it was working closely with law enforcement and emergency responders as the situation was managed. Authorities have not released the identities of the deceased as of Sunday, pending notification of next of kin.

The Response

Twin Falls Police Chief Hicks said investigators were working to interview “literally hundreds of people” who were in the area at the time of the shooting. The FBI confirmed agents were assisting local police with the investigation, and roads in the area — including the Perrine Memorial Bridge, a well-known local landmark — were closed for much of the day as law enforcement secured the scene.

City spokesperson Josh Palmer said officials were still working to confirm the exact number of casualties in the hours after the shooting, cautioning that misinformation was spreading online about the shooter’s identity.

Idaho Governor Brad Little asked residents to keep the Twin Falls community “in your prayers” as law enforcement and emergency crews responded to what he described as an active shooter situation. Local officials have thanked first responders for their rapid response to the scene.

As of Sunday, the investigation into the shooting remains active, with police, Idaho State Police, and the FBI continuing to review evidence and interview witnesses. Authorities have not released a motive or confirmed the shooter’s identity, and have asked the public to avoid sharing unverified information while that work continues.

St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center continues to treat several of the wounded. The Twin Falls Police Department has asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact its tip line.

This is a developing story, and details — including the identities of the victims and shooter — are expected to be updated as authorities confirm them.