A Southern California family says they experienced an agonizing wait after learning their 24-year-old daughter was inside an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, during Saturday’s deadly mass shooting.
The West Covina woman was part of a team of employees sent to Idaho to help train staff for the opening of a new In-N-Out location. She escaped the shooting safely but was separated from her cellphone while fleeing, delaying her ability to contact her family.
Incident
According to authorities, the shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time when a gunman entered the In-N-Out restaurant and opened fire.
The employee, whose family later spoke publicly about the incident, ran from the restaurant without her cellphone as people sought safety.
Because she no longer had her phone, she was unable to immediately tell her parents that she had survived.
Waiting
The woman’s parents, Nikki and Micheal Ahern, learned about the shooting through a news alert on the Citizen app.
Knowing their daughter was working at the restaurant, they waited anxiously for any information about her condition.
Their first contact came only after she borrowed a friend’s phone.
According to her mother, the young woman repeatedly said, “Mommy, mommy, mommy,” before telling her, “I’m alive.”
Her father later asked whether law enforcement officers had arrived and if she was safe. She confirmed that she was, but also told him that one of her co-workers had been shot.
Investigation
The Twin Falls Police Department said three people were killed and seven others were injured in the shooting.
Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Police said Williams later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder confirmed that one of the employees killed was a female staff member.
| Incident Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | In-N-Out, Twin Falls, Idaho |
| Fatalities | Three people |
| Injured | Seven people |
| Suspect | Chad Williams, 24 |
| Outcome | Suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound |
Concerns
Following the incident, the Ahern family questioned whether emergency communication procedures could be improved.
They said they did not receive any direct notification from the company after the shooting and instead relied on news alerts for information.
The family believes employers should have clear protocols for contacting emergency contacts during major incidents involving employees.
CBS Los Angeles reported that it contacted In-N-Out seeking information about its emergency notification procedures but had not received a response at the time of its report.
Return
The family said their daughter remained without her cellphone after leaving the restaurant during the emergency.
Despite the traumatic experience, she is expected to return to Southern California.
The shooting has left employees, families, and the Twin Falls community mourning the victims while authorities continue their investigation into the attack.
For the Ahern family, the experience underscored how quickly lives can change and how difficult it can be for loved ones waiting for confirmation that family members are safe during an active emergency.
FAQs
Where did the shooting happen?
It occurred at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho.
How did the employee contact her family?
She used a friend’s phone after fleeing without her cellphone.
How many people were killed?
Police said three people died in the shooting.
Who was the suspected gunman?
Authorities identified the suspect as Chad Williams, 24.
What concerns did the family raise?
They questioned the company’s emergency notification procedures.
