Twin Falls police and county officials identified three victims killed in a mass shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant on Saturday, including a 66-year-old man from Salt Lake City. The shooting, which occurred outside the drive-thru of the newly opened location, left three people dead and seven others seriously injured before the gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Victims Identified by Authorities
The victims were identified by the Twin Falls County Coroner's Office on Tuesday after identification procedures were completed and next of kin were notified, according to a statement from the coroner's office. The deceased have been identified as Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho.
Tribute to an In-N-Out Employee
The victims included an In-N-Out employee who was part of a specialized team trained to staff various locations. Her family described Ashley Garibay as an "amazing, beautiful soul who loved living life" and noted she was "adventurous, outgoing, smart and driven." According to family spokesperson Kristin Cole, Garibay had joined a traveling team in 2023 and had dreamed of eventually managing one of the company's stores.
Gunman Killed During Attack
The gunman has been identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams. According to police, Williams died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the shooting. During the attack, an off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired at Williams, a move Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said drove the suspect from the scene and prevented further casualties.
Chaos at the Restaurant
The incident occurred at an In-N-Out location that had only recently opened in late July as part of the restaurant chain's expansion into Idaho. Witnesses described a chaotic scene during the shooting. One customer reported hearing shots coming from the kitchen while waiting inside, and another woman reported seeing people running across the road as workers fled the restaurant.
Injured Civilian Confronts Shooter
Among those injured was Austin James, a Sacramento native and former law enforcement professional who had worked for both the Twin Falls Police Department and the Idaho State Police. His father, Marcus James, stated that his son ran toward the gunfire to confront the shooter but intentionally chose not to draw his own firearm to avoid being mistaken for the gunman by responding officers. James was treated at the scene by his wife and a friend, both of whom are emergency room nurses, before being rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Motorcyclist Wounded in Shooting
Another victim of the shooting, Steven Pixley, was riding his motorcycle nearby when the attack occurred. According to his cousin, Shane Klaas, a bullet entered Pixley's arm above the elbow and exited below it, resulting in the loss of use of three fingers. Klaas noted that Pixley, who recently moved to Twin Falls, has maintained a positive attitude despite the injury.
Community Remembers Victims
Key Points:
* Three victims identified: Ashley Garibay (23), Dale Schultz (66), and Christopher Claunch (59).
* The shooter, 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
* Seven other individuals were seriously injured in the mass shooting.
* An off-duty trooper and a civilian fired at the gunman to prevent further casualties.
* A Family Assistance Center has been established at Sawtooth Elementary School to support victims' families.
Friends and family have shared tributes for the victims, including Christopher Claunch. Garren Taylor, a friend of Claunch, described him as a man dedicated to helping others achieve sobriety after Claunch himself completed a rehab program at Renaissance Ranch Recovery Center in Rupert, Idaho, several years ago. Taylor said Claunch was "a gift to anyone he came in contact with."
