Idaho fast-food shooting suspect dies by self-inflicted wound after off-duty officer and civilian return fire
Police say 24-year-old Chad Williams, the lone gunman in a Twin Falls restaurant attack that killed three and injured seven, died from a self-inflicted gunshot after an off-duty trooper and an armed bystander fired back.
Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks confirmed Sunday that the suspect in Saturday’s fast-food restaurant shooting, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators said the attack, which left three people dead and seven injured, was carried out by Williams alone.
According to Hicks, an off-duty state trooper and an armed civilian, whose identities have not been released, returned fire, forcing the gunman to retreat from the scene. > "We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties," the chief said, adding that the authorities commend their actions.
Two of the injured victims have been released from the hospital, three remain in stable condition and two are still listed as critical. Detectives continue to examine the motive behind the attack, and Williams’ family is cooperating with the investigation.
Police also addressed misinformation circulating online that incorrectly named another individual as the shooter, stating the person had no involvement.
The FBI has asked anyone with photographs or video of the incident to submit them to aid the ongoing investigation. The suspect’s body was found near the restaurant, Twin Falls public information officer Josh Palmer said.
Witnesses described the chaos that erupted around 2 p.m. in the busy shopping plaza, with patrons fleeing the premises as gunfire rang out.