Staff Reports
The Twin Falls In‑N‑Out shooting was a nightmare that could have been worse. An off‑duty trooper and a civilian returned fire and, by all accounts, helped stop the attacker from doing even more harm. Newsmax’s Carl Higbie highlighted the civilian who stepped in — and the episode is a reminder that when law‑abiding Americans are prepared, more lives can be saved.
What happened at the Twin Falls In‑N‑Out
According to law enforcement reports, a 24‑year‑old man identified as Chad Williams opened fire at a newly opened In‑N‑Out in Twin Falls, killing three people and wounding several others before dying of a self‑inflicted gunshot wound. Police credited an off‑duty state trooper and a civilian with returning fire and driving the attacker away from the restaurant. Police Chief Matthew Hicks publicly called their actions “heroic,” saying the responders helped prevent further casualties as investigators collect video and witness statements.
Jordan Salinas: a trained citizen who acted
Local reporting identifies a man who has publicly given his name as Jordan Salinas as the civilian who engaged the shooter. In interviews summarized by local outlets, Salinas said he acted on training — using an “observe, orient, decide, act” approach — and described returning fire, saying the assailant “did not like it when bullets started firing both ways,” per local press coverage. Authorities are still piecing together the exact sequence of events and collecting footage, and news outlets caution against relying on social posts or unverified clips.
Why armed citizens and training matter (and what the other side won’t admit)
This incident is a blunt lesson in reality: bad people plan mass harm, and sometimes only quick, armed resistance stops them. Call it messy, call it controversial, but the choice here was simple for the people in that parking lot—act or die. The off‑duty trooper and the civilian who returned fire didn’t wait for a municipal policy memo. They did what trained, responsible Americans do: protect lives. If you believe in public safety but also support policies that tie the hands of vetted, trained citizens, you’re arguing with common sense.
Police Chief Matthew Hicks and local officials deserve credit for recognizing the on‑scene bravery. At the same time, investigators and prosecutors should do their jobs: review the facts, examine footage, and be fair to the citizen who risked his life to stop a killer. The political posturing can wait. For now, support for first responders and law‑abiding armed citizens isn’t a culture war talking point — it’s commonsense public safety. And if the left wants to lecture about safety, maybe they should start by applauding those who actually save lives.
