FirstAlerts

Officials name man who died in Twin Falls In-N-Out shooting; three killed

Idaho authorities have placed the shooter's identity on the record and identified the off-duty state trooper who confronted him on Aug. 1.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 4, 2026, 8:30 p.m. ETWritten Aug 12, 2026, 1:09 a.m. ET
Developing

This is a developing story. Details reported early are provisional and are frequently revised. Where sources disagree, both readings are given.

More on this incident

people were killed and injured in the Aug. 1, 2026 shooting in , , according to ABC News. Officials have now placed on the record that the shooter was , as reported by ABC News and Local News 8; ABC News reported that he is and that the manner of his death was . Officials have not released the identities of the people killed. One of the injured has been named by police: Austin James Scott, whom police described as a former police officer and former State trooper, according to ABC News and Local News 8. Accounts of the setting differ. ABC News reported that the shooting began at an restaurant with patrons and employees inside and that the violence unfolded throughout the area, including on a walking trail. Local News 8 reported that the restaurant was newly opened and that police said it had a crowded dining area. The name is also reported differently: ABC News and Local News 8 identified it as an , while kool965.com described it as an . The State Police has identified the off-duty trooper who responded as Specialist Steve McClain, assigned to the agency's Commercial Vehicle Safety program. "Like many others who were there that day, I simply did what I believed needed to be done," McClain said. "Many people stepped forward to help complete strangers, often at great personal risk, and I am grateful for their courage and compassion." He added: "My heart remains with the victims, their families, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives have been changed by this tragedy," and said he prayed "that the community can continue to heal and be strengthened through one another." McClain also said he is "proud to serve alongside the men and women of the State Police, as well as those with the and other members of our law enforcement community." State Police director Col. Bill Gardiner said that, "faced with an active threat, he willingly put himself in harm's way to protect others. In doing so, he undoubtedly helped save lives." Gardiner said "years of training, experience, discipline, and commitment were compressed into a matter of seconds," and that "countless ordinary people made extraordinary decisions that day." He added: "We recognize the courage shown by those who rendered aid, protected others, and responded in the face of unimaginable circumstances." Police Chief Matthew Hicks, at a Sunday press conference after the shooting, described the scene as "one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer can face in their career." Hicks said the trooper "bravely engages with the gunman, allowing others coming down the trail time to turn around and escape," and that "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." The State Police and the both responded. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day: call or text 988.

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Revision history

  1. Version 515 Aug 2026, 16:41current

    Added Christopher Claunch, 59, named as one of those killed by his sister to KTLA; added reports that an In-N-Out employee was among the dead, Chief Hicks' commendation of the off-duty officer and a civilian, and the fuller range of sourcing on the suspect's death.

  2. Version 412 Aug 2026, 13:24

    Led with the better-supported injured figure of seven (ABC News, Officer.com) while keeping Idaho News 6's 10; added the date discrepancy in Officer.com's account and the conflicting descriptions of the suspect's death; removed a crisis helpline that was not in the fact set.

  3. Version 312 Aug 2026, 11:18

    Added headline and standfirst, and Idaho News 6's account of customers being at the newly opened restaurant when a gunman opened fire.

  4. Version 212 Aug 2026, 04:59current

    No new verified facts since v1; wording tightened and the "developing situation" framing replaced with a plain note that details may be revised.

  5. Version 212 Aug 2026, 11:13

    Added conflicting injury tolls (10 per Idaho News 6 vs 7 per ABC News), attributed the death toll to Twin Falls Police, added that the restaurant was newly opened with a crowded dining area, and added the Sunday press conference and further Gardiner quote.

  6. Version 112 Aug 2026, 03:38

    First published.

  7. Version 112 Aug 2026, 05:03

    First published.

  8. Version 112 Aug 2026, 05:09current

    First published.

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