Bystander Actions During Shooting at Twin Falls In-N-Out Burger

A gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday. A bystander’s quick actions may have prevented further casualties, as recounted by a witness.

Bystander’s Intervention

Lane Koehn, 34, was at a stoplight near the fast-food restaurant when he noticed someone with an AR-style rifle emerging from the drive-thru. Bullets hit the car in front of him, and Koehn saw the shooter heading towards his vehicle. Koehn told NBC News that a person in the drive-thru line with a handgun was shooting at the suspect, diverting his attention.

Koehn noted that the shooter appeared panicked and moved erratically. He believes the armed bystander played a crucial role in preventing more harm. “The shooter was solely focused on him, allowing us to escape,” Koehn stated. “It gave the car ahead of me time to leave.” The incident Koehn witnessed spanned approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Aftermath of the Shooting

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks reported that three people were killed and at least five were injured. The gunman is deceased, but it remains unclear if this individual is included in the reported death toll. Investigators are working to determine the shooter’s motive.

Koehn described a chaotic scene before law enforcement arrived. He managed to park on the other side of the In-N-Out and saw an employee dragging a co-worker with a chest gunshot wound. “She was screaming her name, trying to wake her up,” Koehn recalled. “The injured worker was conscious at times, able to speak.” A retired EMT nearby offered assistance until an ambulance arrived and quickly evacuated the victim.

In-N-Out Burger president Lynsi Snyder confirmed that a worker was among those killed. It remains uncertain if this worker is the same individual Koehn witnessed receiving aid. Snyder said, “She was taking care of our most important asset—our customers—when her life was taken.”

Community Support and Investigation

The Twin Falls Police Department addressed the community, emphasizing that law enforcement services remain available. Several agencies, including the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police, are assisting in the investigation. The FBI launched a digital tip line for people to provide photos, videos, and audio recordings from the event to aid investigations.

This account was reported by Dana Griffin from Twin Falls, Idaho, and Doha Madani from New York City.