At least three people were killed, including the suspected gunman, in a shooting Saturday at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, according to officials. Two other people were injured and were being treated at a local hospital.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said multiple law enforcement agencies responded to what he called a «very chaotic» active shooter scene at the popular fast-food restaurant. Officers were dispatched to the scene at about 2:30 p.m. local time, and a city spokesperson later confirmed the shooting unfolded near the In-N-Out Burger and other businesses in the area.
At a news conference, Hicks said authorities were still working to notify the victims' next of kin and had not yet released an exact death toll. «What I can tell you at this time is that we've had a shooting at the In-N-Out location that has resulted in fatalities,» he said. «I don't have the exact number confirmed. We're still trying to make notification of their next of kin.»
Hicks said the suspected gunman was found dead near the scene, and that the threat to the community had ended. «We believe that the threat to the community is over,» he said. «The suspected shooter in this incident is deceased. He was nearby on the scene, and we are working to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that.»
Authorities have not released the suspect's name, and no motive has been established. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting Twin Falls police with the investigation, Hicks said.
In an earlier statement, the Twin Falls Police Department said officers were responding to an active shooter incident near the restaurant and asked residents to avoid the area. «Our department is responding to an active shooter incident in the area of In-N-Out,» the department said. «We are asking all residents and visitors to avoid the area so officers and first responders can work safely.»
Hicks said investigators were interviewing potential witnesses who were at or near the restaurant when the shooting happened. «We have literally hundreds of people that were in some way, shape or form in the area of this restaurant at the time that are being interviewed right now,» he said.
Police said the area around the In-N-Out Burger and the Twin Falls Visitor Center would remain closed Saturday evening while investigators processed the scene. Hicks acknowledged the toll the day had taken on the southern Idaho community. «Today has been a very hard day here in Twin Falls. A tragic day,» he said.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged residents to keep the community in their prayers as law enforcement and first responders worked the scene. «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,» Little wrote on social media. «Please avoid the area and follow directions from law enforcement as they work to keep everyone safe.»
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said he was monitoring the situation and acknowledged the work of local agencies. «Twin Falls Police, Idaho State Police, and fire and paramedic crews remain on scene working to secure the area,» Labrador wrote on social media before police confirmed the gunman's death. «If you're in the area, please listen to local authorities and stay away from In-N-Out and the surrounding streets so first responders can do their jobs.»
The investigation remained ongoing, and authorities said additional details would be released as they became available.