California native among 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho In-N-Out, family says

California native among 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho In-N-Out, family says By Marc Cota-Robles Tuesday, August 4, 2026 12:40AM Christopher Claunch, a California native, was identified as one of the victims killed in the shooting. His sister lives in Rosamond, north of Lancaster. One of the victims killed in a shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant in Idaho over the weekend was from California, according to the New York Times.

Authorities in Twin Falls, Idaho are still working to find a motive behind the deadly shooting on Saturday. The 24-year-old shooter, identified as Chad Williams, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, according to police.

Three people were killed and seven others were injured when the gunman shot at the In-N-Out restaurant, which had just opened about a week before, drawing big crowds.

The New York Times identified Christopher Claunch, a California native, as one of the victims killed in the shooting. His sister lives in Rosamond, north of Lancaster.

His sister told the Times that Claunch worked at Renaissance Ranch Recovery Center in Rupert, Idaho. He had lived in the state for about 30 years.

His sister said every time he returned to the Pacific Coast, he made sure to stop at In-N-Out. She said he told her he was going to wait to go to the new Twin Falls, Idaho location until crowds died down.

The rest of the victims have not been officially identified, but In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder confirmed that an In-N-Out worker is among the dead.

"She was taking care of our most important asset - our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn't value the lives of others or his own," Snyder wrote on social media. "He shot both on our property and off, and ended his life shortly after he took the previous lives of our Associate and Customers, innocent people who never saw it coming."

An In-N-Out employee from West Covina had been sent to Idaho to help train employees at the new fast food location.

The 24-year-old woman ran for her life from the shooting scene. Her parents say they are disappointed in the company's crisis response.

"She's like, hysterical. She's like, 'I'm here. I'm OK. I'm on my friend's phone. We're hiding next door. There's a guy. They're shooting,'" said Michael Ahern, the woman's stepfather. "I was like, 'Ok, are police there?' 'Police are there.' 'You need to breathe. You need to calm down. You need to take a really deep breath.' She's hyperventilating."

"'Mommy, mommy, I'm alive. I'm not hurt.' That was it," said Nikki Ahern, the woman's mother.

The moments immediately after the shooting were caught on camera. Video shows customers and employees fleeing the scene, running for their lives.

Another video shows one of two men now being hailed as heroes.

Idaho State Police said an off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen returned fire with the suspect, likely saving lives.

"We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and citizen and their heroic action to stop this incident. We believe their actions helped drive this suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties," Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said at a press conference.

SEE ALSO: What we know about the In-N-Out Burger shooting suspect

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