Chad Williams In-N-Out Shooting: Hero Civilian Jordan Salinas Fired Back After Years of Tactical Self-Defense Training
TWIN FALLS, Idaho: All about v: In the news, we have What was supposed to be a quiet Saturday afternoon turned into a scene of sudden horror when 24-year-old gunman Chad Williams opened fire at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, Idaho. As panicking crowds fled the restaurant’s drive-thru area, one armed civilian did not run away—he ran directly toward the gunfire.
That good Samaritan, identified as Jordan Salinas, 35, is now being hailed as a hero across the nation after drawing his suppressed handgun and exchanging fire with the rifle-armed suspect. Authorities believe the high-stakes intervention by Salinas, alongside an off-duty Idaho state trooper, forced Williams to retreat into an open parking lot, driving the gunman away from crowded dining areas and preventing potentially catastrophic loss of life.
Behind Salinas’s split-second courage lies a personal journey of preparation. Salinas, a healthcare worker and full-time caregiver for his wheelchair-bound brother, revealed that he had dedicated years to tactical firearms training after witnessing a traumatic mass shooting at a Boise shopping mall years earlier.
Here is the complete account of how years of disciplined self-defense training transformed a regular citizen into an active-shooter interdictor on one of the darkest days in Twin Falls history.
How the Shooting Unfolded
On Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026, the newly opened In-N-Out Burger on the north side of Twin Falls was bustling with weekend crowds. The location, which had opened its doors just a week prior on July 24, served as a prime commercial hub near chain retailers and hotels.
Shortly after 2:20 p.m., 24-year-old Chad Williams arrived in a white vehicle carrying a long rifle. Without warning, Williams opened fire near the drive-thru window and parking area, shooting at vehicles and bystanders indiscriminately.
[ TIMELINE OF THE TWIN FALLS ATTACK ]
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| Time | Event Summary |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
| 2:25 PM MDT | Gunman Chad Williams opens fire with long rifle |
| | near the In-N-Out drive-thru area. |
| 2:27 PM MDT | Civilians flee; Jordan Salinas arrives, draws |
| | suppressed FN Five-seveN pistol to engage. |
| 2:28 PM MDT | Off-duty Trooper Austin "AJ" Scott James |
| | assists; combined fire pushes gunman away. |
| 2:32 PM MDT | Williams flees to open lot; dies of self- |
| | inflicted gunshot wound. |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------+
Inside a vehicle pulling into the parking lot were Jordan Salinas and his girlfriend. The couple had spent the morning horseback riding in nearby Hagerman and stopped at In-N-Out for lunch before heading home.
“We pulled in and saw a massive crowd of people pouring out of the exit doors,” witnesses recalled. Initial assumptions of a kitchen grease fire quickly evaporated when the distinct, mechanical pop of high-caliber rifle fire echoed across the asphalt.
Inspired by Tragedy: Why Jordan Salinas Trained
Salinas’ immediate instinct to counter an active shooter was born out of a profound sense of responsibility for his family.
In 2021, Salinas had been nearby during the deadly mass shooting at the Boise Towne Square Mall, where a gunman opened fire, killing two people and injuring several others. The experience left an indelible mark on him. As the primary caregiver for his brother, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, Salinas realized that during a public attack, vulnerable individuals cannot easily sprint for cover.
“Active shooters target soft environments,” Salinas explained in local interviews following the incident. “Seeing what happened in Boise made me realize that if my brother or loved ones were ever caught in something like that, running might not be an option. I needed to know how to defend them.”
From that point forward, Salinas transformed his weekend routine. He began practicing drills in the desert outside Eden, Idaho, utilizing tactical equipment—including a suppressed FN Five-seveN semi-automatic pistol—and timing his cross-draw, safety disengagement, and sight alignment under pressure.
An October 2024 social media post by Salinas went viral shortly after Saturday’s attack. Accompanied by target practice footage, Salinas had written a prophetic caption:
“Train like your life depends on it. Because God forbid, one day it might. Stay free, stay safe, and stay frosty.”
The Four-Step Tactical Execution: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act
When gunfire erupted at the In-N-Out, Salinas relied entirely on muscle memory and tactical frameworks. Drawing his firearm from his vehicle, he utilized the classic OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) method:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SALINAS' TACTICAL RESPONSE FRAMEWORK │
├───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 👁️ 1. OBSERVE │ 🧭 2. ORIENT │
│ • Ran toward gunfire with drawn │ • Concealed behind bushes & signs │
│ weapon while assessing crowd. │ • Established clear sight lines. │
├───────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 🧠 3. DECIDE │ 🎯 4. ACT │
│ • Confirmed Chad Williams as the │ • Fired suppressed 5.7mm rounds │
│ active shooter threat. │ • Forced suspect to break cover. │
└───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
-
Observe: Salinas exited his vehicle, drew his suppressed pistol, and moved around the perimeter of the building, keeping low behind landscaping bushes and signage while observing fleeing crowds.
-
Orient: Hidden from direct view, he established sight lines toward the drive-thru area where Williams stood holding a long rifle.
-
Decide: Spotting Williams actively aiming toward parked cars—including a blue Tesla whose driver was shot—Salinas determined that immediate lethal intervention was necessary to save lives.
-
Act: Salinas exposed himself just enough to acquire a target sight picture and fired multiple suppressed rounds directly at the gunman.
“He did not like it when bullets started firing both ways,” Salinas noted. Surprised by returning gunfire, Williams ceased firing at civilians and retreated toward an adjacent parking lot.
At the same time, off-duty Idaho State Trooper Austin “AJ” Scott James—who was visiting the restaurant as a customer—also moved toward the threat to distract the shooter and protect fleeing families, despite taking critical rifle fire to his arm during the encounter.
Police Response, Victims, and Official Statements
Twin Falls police officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the initial 911 calls. Seeing uniformed officers take positions, Salinas immediately holstered his weapon, raised his hands, stood down, and cooperated fully to prevent friendly-fire confusion.
Moments later, officers located Chad Williams dead in a nearby lot from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
[ IMPACT & CASUALTY SUMMARY ]
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Fatalities : 3 Civilians (Inc. 1 In-N-Out Associate) |
| 1 Suspect (Chad Williams - Suicide) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Injured : 7 Civilians (2 Critical, 3 Stable, 2 Out) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Perpetrator : Chad Williams, Age 24 (Acted Alone) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks praised the civilian intervention during a press conference on Sunday:
“We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties,” Chief Hicks stated. “We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen for their heroic action to stop this incident.”
In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder issued an emotional statement confirming the loss of an employee:
“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy… We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight. In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season.”
Community Reaction and Legal Standing
Following news of his actions, social media flooded Jordan Salinas’ accounts with messages of gratitude. Many pointed to the event as a clear illustration of responsible concealed carry and civilian preparedness in self-defence scenarios.
Salinas released a statement on Facebook thanking the public for their support while requesting privacy for the victims’ families:
“The last 24 hours have been overwhelming… For now, my heart remains with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy. Thank you for continuing to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was the shooter in the Twin Falls In-N-Out incident?
The gunman was identified by police as Chad Williams, 24. Authorities confirmed he acted alone and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the engagement with armed citizens and police.
Who is Jordan Salinas?
Jordan Salinas is a 35-year-old healthcare worker, an Idaho resident, and a full-time caregiver for his brother. He is being praised as a hero for using his personal concealed firearm to engage Chad Williams and stop the active shooting.
Why did Jordan Salinas start self-defence training?
Salinas began training after witnessing the 2021 mass shooting at the Boise Towne Square Mall. Realizing that his wheelchair-bound brother could not easily escape active shooter situations, he decided to train rigorously in tactical marksmanship and rapid threat identification.
What weapon did Jordan Salinas use during the incident?
Salinas used an FN Five-seveN semi-automatic pistol equipped with a Tactical Solutions Axiom suppressor, firing 5.7x28mm ammunition.
How many casualties resulted from the Twin Falls attack?
The shooting resulted in three civilian deaths (including an In-N-Out worker) and seven injuries. The gunman, Chad Williams, also died at the scene from a self-inflicted wound.
