Chad Williams, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the shooting, had an X account where he frequently commented on politics and current events until July 2025.
The 24-year-old gunman who killed two people and wounded seven others during Saturday's mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls had previously posted extensively about violent crime, public safety, immigration, and constitutional rights on social media before carrying out the deadly attack.
Chad Williams, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the shooting, maintained an X account where he frequently commented on politics and current events until July 2025. One of his most striking posts came in November 2024, when he described an armed carjacking that occurred near his childhood home in Waddell, Arizona. "Last month a man pointed an AK-47 at the door of a house only streets away from my childhood home," Williams wrote. "He would have killed you or me for walking out of our front door at the wrong time over a truck he would sell for just $8,000."
Williams' account regularly shared posts advocating tougher responses to violent crime and stronger immigration enforcement. In another repost, he criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, writing: "Bragg downgraded 60% of felony cases last year, including violent crimes… New Yorkers don't feel safe in their own city." The post contrasted Bragg's handling of violent offenders with his prosecution of President Donald Trump, adding: "It's time for DAs that prioritize public safety over politics."
Williams also frequently posted in support of the First and Second Amendments. He praised legislation expanding constitutional carry rights, reposting a message thanking Rep. Anna Paulina Luna for co-sponsoring the National Constitutional Carry Act. Authorities have not identified any ideological or political motive for Saturday's attack, and investigators have not indicated that Williams' online political views played a role in the shooting.
Williams attended the College of Southern Idaho from August 2022 through December 2023 but did not graduate. School officials confirmed he briefly served in student government before being unanimously impeached in 2023 after repeatedly missing meetings. The shooting unfolded shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday at the recently opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls. Police said Williams, armed with an AR-style rifle, opened fire inside the restaurant before continuing into the parking lot.
The attack was interrupted when two armed bystanders, Jordan Salinas, 35, and off-duty police officer Austin "AJ" Scott, returned fire, forcing Williams away and preventing what Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks described as further casualties. The shooting claimed the lives of Ashley Garibay, 23, an In-N-Out employee, and Cristopher Claunch, 59, who was visiting the restaurant for the first time following its July 24 opening.
Seven additional victims were wounded. Authorities said two have since been released from the hospital, three remain in stable condition, and two are still listed in critical condition. Police say Williams acted alone before fatally shooting himself. Investigators have not announced a motive, though Chief Hicks said Williams' family has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation. "Their hearts are also broken at this time," Hicks said.
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