Bystander May Have Prevented Further Tragedy in Twin Falls Shooting

Twin Falls, Idaho, was the scene of a tragic event over the weekend, but the quick actions of a bystander may have prevented more lives from being lost. Witness Lane Koehn, 34, shared his experience of the shooting that took place at an In-N-Out restaurant, highlighting how a bystander with a handgun distracted the gunman.

Koehn was at a stoplight when he noticed a person with an AR-style rifle emerging from the drive-thru. The shooter fired at a vehicle in front of him and then turned towards Koehn’s direction. As the gunman moved through the drive-thru, a person in the line began shooting at him, which Koehn believes redirected the attacker’s focus.

“The shooter was solely focused on him, and [it] allowed us to get out,” Koehn noted about the incident. This distraction provided an opportunity for others, including a car that had been struck by bullets, to flee the scene.

The chaotic ordeal, lasting around 10 to 15 minutes, left three people dead and at least five others injured, according to Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks. The gunman was killed, though it has not been clarified whether he is included in the official death count.

Authorities are actively investigating the motive behind the shooting and have yet to identify both the gunman and the bystander who intervened. During the events, Koehn witnessed a scene of distress as an employee was dragged away by a co-worker after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest. The situation was dire, with the victim drifting in and out of consciousness.

A retired EMT worker who was nearby provided crucial assistance until an ambulance arrived. The rapid response ensured the wounded employee received medical attention promptly.

Lynsi Snyder, president of In-N-Out, confirmed that one of the company’s employees was among those killed in the attack. Snyder expressed grief over the loss, stating the employee was dedicated to customer service before her life was taken by the gunman.

The Twin Falls Police Department reassured residents that law enforcement services would remain operational, with multiple agencies offering support during this challenging time. The FBI has implemented a digital tip line to collect media from the public that might aid the investigation.