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Idaho State Police identifies off-duty trooper who confronted gunman in Twin Falls shooting
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Nearly two weeks after a deadly shooting at the new In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, the Idaho State Police (ISP) has identified the off-duty trooper who confronted the gunman to protect bystanders.
ISP identified the officer as Specialist Steve McClain, a Twin Falls native and 12-year veteran of the agency assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Safety program. The agency says McClain’s identity was temporarily withheld at the request of the prosecutor’s office while investigators completed their initial review of the August 1 incident.
The attack claimed the lives of Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, Idaho. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams.
According to authorities, McClain and an armed bystander, 35-year-old Jordan Salinas of Kimberly, Idaho, fired back when Williams began shooting at the restaurant. In a Sunday press conference following the shooting, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the scene as "one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer can face in their career." Police say McClain and Salinas' quick actions forced the gunman away from the crowded dining area, preventing further casualties.
"Like many others who were there that day, I simply did what I believed needed to be done," said Specialist McClain. Many people stepped forward to help complete strangers, often at great personal risk, and I am grateful for their courage and compassion."
In a statement released alongside the announcement, ISP extended its deepest condolences to the victims, their families, first responders, and the entire Twin Falls community coping with the tragedy.
Colonel Bill Gardiner, director of the Idaho State Police, praised McClain's decisive action and "decision to confront the threat in an effort to protect others."
"Years of training, experience, discipline, and commitment were compressed into a matter of seconds," said Colonel Gardiner. "Faced with an active threat, he willingly put himself in harm’s way to protect others. In doing so, he undoubtedly helped save lives...The public often sees only a single point in time, but moments such as these are built on years of preparation and a commitment to serving others. On August 1, Specialist McClain demonstrated exactly what that commitment looks like."
Colonel Gardiner went on to praise the countless ordinary people who showed courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances. Specialist McClain echoed Colonel Gardiner's words, expressing gratitude for his training and the community's response.
"I am proud to serve alongside the men and women of the Idaho State Police, as well as those with the Twin Falls Police Department and other members of our law enforcement community," said Gardiner. "I pray that the community can continue to heal and be strengthened through one another. Twin Falls Strong!”
ISP asks the public to respect the privacy of the victims, their families, Specialist McClain, and all affected individuals as the investigation moves forward.
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Off-duty state trooper who helped respond to In-N-Out shooting speaks out
Specialist Steve McClain was inside the restaurant when gunfire broke out.
An off-duty Idaho state trooper who assisted law enforcement during a chaotic mass shooting that began at an In-N-Out Burger spoke out for the first time on Tuesday.
Specialist Steve McClain was inside the In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Aug. 1 when gunfire broke out. Three people were killed and another seven wounded in the massacre, which unfolded throughout the area.
"My heart remains with the victims, their families, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives have been changed by this tragedy," McClain said in a statement released through Idaho State Police. "Like many others who were there that day, I simply did what I believed needed to be done. Many people stepped forward to help complete strangers, often at great personal risk, and I am grateful for their courage and compassion."
McClain, a Twin Falls resident who has served with the Idaho State Police for 12 years, said he is thankful his training "prepared me for this horrific incident."
"I am proud to serve alongside the men and women of the Idaho State Police, as well as those with the Twin Falls Police Department and other members of our law enforcement community," he said. "I pray that the community can continue to heal and be strengthened through one another."
McClain's identity was initially withheld in the wake of the shooting at the request of the local prosecutor's office, though officials ultimately determined that releasing his name would not affect the ongoing investigation, state police said.
"Faced with an active threat, he willingly put himself in harm's way to protect others. In doing so, he undoubtedly helped save lives," Col. Bill Gardiner, director of the Idaho State Police, said in a statement Tuesday.
After the gunman fired into the restaurant, McClain helped evacuate patrons and employees while looking for the threat, according to police. He also exchanged gunfire with the shooter through a window, police said.
"Heroically and unbelievably, this trooper also assisted responding officers, leading them towards the last known direction of the shooter, and then took up a position at a key location to provide security until he could be relieved," Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said during a press briefing last week, adding that the off-duty trooper "risked his life in the time of need."
Police said they believe additional acts of heroism and the rendering of aid to victims saved lives that day.
During the incident, two bystanders -- including a man who is a former police officer and former Idaho State trooper -- confronted the gunman, which police said helped stop the shooting. The former law enforcement officer, Austin James Scott, was shot by the gunman and was among those injured, police said.
Video of the rampage also showed the gunman encounter an individual on a walking trail who "bravely engages with the gunman, allowing others coming down the trail time to turn around and escape," Hicks said, calling the man a hero.
"Countless ordinary people made extraordinary decisions that day," Gardiner said. "We recognize the courage shown by those who rendered aid, protected others, and responded in the face of unimaginable circumstances."
The shooter, identified by police as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. A motive is still unknown, police said Friday.
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