Antelope High Grad Wounded Saving Lives in Idaho In-N-Out Shooting; Stockton Worker Among Dead

A Saturday afternoon trip to In-N-Out turned into a nightmare in Twin Falls, Idaho, and a former police officer with strong Sacramento Valley roots became an unexpected hero. Austin James, a graduate of Antelope High School who went on to serve with the Twin Falls Police Department, was in the drive-thru with his wife when a gunman opened fire. James ran toward the shooter and was shot in the arm, but his actions helped stop the attack. His wife, an ER nurse, immediately went to work providing critical aid until paramedics arrived.

The shooting claimed the lives of three people, including Ashley Garibay, an In-N-Out employee from Stockton. The gunman, 24-year-old Chad Williams, died by suicide. Police believe he acted alone, and as of Sunday afternoon no motive had been released. Two victims remain in critical condition, three are stable, and two have been released from the hospital.

For Sacramento area listeners, this tragedy carries a double sting. It’s a story about a local man showing extraordinary courage, and it’s a story about a young woman from our region losing her life simply for being at work. The In-N-Out connection makes it feel even closer to home, since the chain is such a beloved part of California culture. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to act quickly to protect someone? How do you process these stories when they hit this close to home?