Updated

Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 4

Jordan Salinas Describes Confronting Gunman After Idaho In-N-Out Shooting Killed 3

Updated

Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 4

Jordan Salinas Describes Confronting Gunman After Idaho In-N-Out Shooting Killed 3

Q: How did a bystander's intense training after a past tragedy ultimately prevent a much higher death toll during this sudden attack?

Jordan Salinas’ years of firearms and tactical training after the 2021 Boise mall shooting appear to have turned his response into a rapid, disciplined intervention that helped stop the Idaho gunman from killing more people. Salinas said he had trained seriously since that earlier tragedy, practicing regularly and internalizing a four-step decision process: “observe, orient, decide, act.” When gunfire erupted outside the Twin Falls In-N-Out, he said his reaction was “automatic” and “mechanical.” Instead of freezing or fleeing, he moved toward the shots, saw the suspect aiming a rifle at passing cars, drew his handgun, and returned fire. Police said Salinas and an armed off-duty Idaho State Police trooper diverted the shooter and drove him away from the crowded restaurant area. Witnesses told reporters the gunman became focused on the people shooting back, which gave others time to escape. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said their actions likely prevented further casualties, and the county sheriff said they “without a doubt saved many lives.” The key factor was not only that Salinas was armed, but that he had prepared for exactly this kind of crisis after seeing what a previous mass shooting could do. That preparation let him act under extreme pressure with speed and purpose, interrupting the attacker’s momentum before the death toll climbed even higher.

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 4

Jordan Salinas, 35, said he saw Chad Williams aiming a rifle at passing cars outside a Twin Falls In-N-Out and moved to confront him during Saturday's attack.
Salinas told ABC News the gunman appeared calm while targeting vehicles, then lost his composure once return fire began; police said Salinas and an armed off-duty Idaho State Police trooper drove him from the scene.
3 people were killed and 7 wounded in the shooting, with 5 victims still hospitalized Sunday, including 2 in critical condition; Williams, 24, later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Twin Falls police said Williams likely acted alone and that a motive remains under investigation, while the FBI assists and authorities seek witness video from the busy shopping-area scene.