Jordan Salinas has shared how he confronted the gunman during the deadly Twin Falls In-N-Out shooting. Here's what happened and why many people are calling him a hero.

Three people lost their lives and seven others were injured after a gunman opened fire at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. Amid the panic, Jordan Salinas, the armed bystander stepped forward instead of running away. He exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and police believe his actions, along with those of an off-duty state trooper, may have prevented the tragedy from becoming even worse.

The shooting began around 2:30 p.m. when 24-year-old Chad Williams allegedly opened fire with an AR-style rifle outside the restaurant. According to police, three people were killed and seven others were injured. The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities are still trying to find out what led to the shooting. As of now, no motive has been confirmed, and police believe the gunman acted alone.

What really happened at the incident?

Jordan Salinas, a 35-year-old healthcare worker from Kimberly, Idaho, later told the Idaho Statesman what happened that day. He said he and his girlfriend had planned a relaxing Saturday that included horseback riding before stopping at the In-N-Out for lunch. As they arrived, he noticed people running out of the restaurant. At first, he thought there had been a kitchen fire. Seconds later, he heard gunshots and immediately realized something was seriously wrong.

Salinas said his response was almost automatic. After years of practicing with firearms, he followed the same steps he had trained for: observe the situation, understand what was happening, make a decision and act. Staying behind cover, he saw the shooter firing at vehicles near the drive-through and returned fire with his pistol. An off-duty police officer who was also at the restaurant joined him, and together they pushed the gunman away from the area.

"There's a task that needs to be done, and we're the ones who need to do it," Salinas said while describing why he stepped in.

Witnesses described the terrifying moments during the attack. Lane Koehn, who was waiting at a nearby traffic light, said he saw the shooter firing toward vehicles in the drive-through. He believes the person who fired back kept the gunman focused on him, giving other people enough time to escape. Koehn also stayed behind to help an injured In-N-Out employee until emergency crews arrived.

The shooting also left families in shock. One California family learned about the attack through a phone alert because their daughter was working at the restaurant as part of a training team. She escaped safely but had left her phone behind while running. After what her parents described as the longest wait of their lives, she finally called from a friend's phone, telling them through tears that she was alive.

As Business Fortune observes, police say the investigation is still ongoing, and they have urged people not to spread false information online. Investigators currently believe the suspect acted alone, and they continue to examine what led to the tragic attack

 

FAQs

Who is Jordan Salinas?

Jordan Salinas is a 35-year-old healthcare worker from Kimberly, Idaho, who says he confronted the Twin Falls In-N-Out shooter by returning gunfire.

Has police officially identified Jordan Salinas as the armed bystander?

No. Police have confirmed that an armed civilian engaged the shooter but have not officially released that person's identity. Salinas has voluntarily shared his account publicly.

What happened during the Twin Falls In-N-Out shooting?

A gunman opened fire at the restaurant, killing three people and injuring seven others before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Why are people calling Jordan Salinas a hero?

Police believe the armed civilian and an off-duty state trooper helped force the shooter away from the restaurant, potentially preventing additional casualties.

Is the investigation complete?

No. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack and continue to ask the public not to circulate unverified information.