A private citizen who confronted the gunman who killed three people and wounded seven others outside an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, is speaking out about his encounter with the shooter.
Jordan Salinas, 35, told ABC News he spotted the suspect aiming a rifle at passing vehicles before confronting him.
Jordan Salinas and his girfriend Emily Cohelo speak out after confronting the gunman in the deadly Idaho shooting.
ABC News
“I peeked around the right-hand side of that sign closest to the road, and that’s when I saw the individual with his rifle pointed at the vehicles,” Salinas said.
Salinas said the suspect appeared calm as he aimed at cars but that his demeanor changed once shots were fired in his direction.
“He seemed unusually comfortable aiming that rifle at those cars,” Salinas said. “As soon as some rounds started coming at him, everything changed immediately. All that bravado he had immediately crumbled.”
Jordan Salinas speaks out after confronting the gunman in the deadly Idaho shooting.
ABC News
According to Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks, Salinas and an armed off-duty Idaho State Police trooper confronted the suspect, 24-year-old Chad Williams, who later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“We believe these actions drove the suspect from the scene and prevented further casualties,” Hicks said during a Sunday news conference.
Authorities said three people were killed and seven others were injured in the shooting Saturday afternoon outside the In-N-Out Burger on Blue Lakes Boulevard. Five of the injured victims remained hospitalized Sunday, including two in critical condition, according to Hicks.
Investigators believe Williams acted alone, and a motive remains under investigation. Police said his family is cooperating with investigators.
Lynsi Snyder, president of In-N-Out Burger, said in a statement posted to social media that one of the company’s employees was among those killed.
“In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season,” Snyder said.
Police responded to reports of gunfire at about 2:29 p.m. Saturday. Hicks said 911 dispatchers could hear screams and gunfire in the background of emergency calls.
He described the scene as “one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer could face in their career,” noting the restaurant is located near a busy shopping area where potentially hundreds of people were nearby at the time of the shooting.
The FBI is assisting the investigation, and authorities continue to ask anyone with information or video of the shooting to come forward.
