Who is Jordan Salinas? Armed Bystander Praised for Firing at Idaho Gunman
Newsweek · C · trust 44/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. An armed bystander has been hailed as a hero after firing at a gunman during a shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho, with law enforcement saying it diverted the gunman and saved lives.
Jordan Salinas, 35, a healthcare worker, was identified as the man who fired at the gunman by the Idaho Statesman on Sunday.
He told the newspaper that after pulling into the restaurant’s parking lot with his girlfriend on Saturday afternoon, he saw people fleeing through the doors.
He heard the sound of gunfire and ran toward it with his semiautomatic pistol drawn. Once he located the gunman standing by the drive-thru window and firing at cars, he fired his pistol.
Salinas told the newspaper that he felt "no fear” as he ran toward gunfire.
"There’s a task that needs to be done, and we’re the ones who need to do it,” he said.
The shooting left four people dead, including the gunman, and seven others injured. Two of the injured were treated at a hospital and released, three were listed as stable, and two were in critical condition, authorities said on Sunday.
The gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
At a news conference on Sunday, Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson said a bystander and an off-duty state trooper had exchanged gunfire with the gunman , forcing him to take cover.
Their identities were not immediately disclosed.
"I want to extend my deepest thanks to the off-duty trooper and the good citizen that engaged the shooter,” Johnson said .“These people are true heroes in our community, and their actions diverted the shooter, and no doubt saved many lives.”
Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks said: “We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties. We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen, and their heroic action to stop this incident.”
The National Rifle Association (NRA) also praised Salinas for his actions.
“The NRA recognizes the brave man who took action to stop a truly despicable act from going any further in Idaho,” the NRA wrote on X. "Unfortunately, evil will rear its ugly head, making it crucial that good, law-abiding citizens have the means to take action when it matters most.”
NRA Director of Public Affairs Justin Davis, added on X: “You know what stops a bad guy with a gun? A good guy with a gun. Bravo, armed citizen.”
At Sunday’s news conference, Hicks said detectives are working to determine Williams’ motives, and that his family was cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Hicks said investigators are confident that the gunman acted alone.
“At this time, we are still working to determine the full set of circumstance in this incident, including the suspect's actions and possible motivations,” he said.
“The Williams family has been notified and they are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Their hearts are also broken during this time.”
Authorities asked potential witnesses or anyone with information to contact police.
Salinas told the Statesman that he began training to use his weapon more seriously after a shooting at a mall in Boise, Idaho, in 2021 .
He said gunmen went after “soft targets” and he worried about a situation where he and his wheelchair-bound brother, who he cares for full-time, could be targeted.
He said he shoots on weekends and trains in the desert, but had never pointed his gun at even an animal before Saturday’s shooting.
Salinas said his part took two or three minutes. As the gunman retreated and police officers arrived, he said he stood down and let them take over.
In a post on Facebook on Sunday, Salinas thanked those who have reached out to him with messages of support.
"In the coming days, I'll share a more complete account of what happened, to the best of my recollection, when I'm able,” he wrote.
"For now, my heart remains with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by yesterday's tragedy. Thank you for continuing to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for the incredible support you've shown me and my family.”
Newsweek has contacted Salinas for comment via a message sent on social media.
One of the people killed was an In-N-Out employee, the chain’s owner said.
"My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I've shed. We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight," Lynsi Snyder, the owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, said in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday.
“She was taking care of our most important asset - our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own. He shot both on our property and off, and ended his life shortly after he took the precious lives of our Associate and Customers, innocent people who never saw it coming.”
Snyder added: "In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season. I am no stranger to loss, but this is so incredibly tough, and my heart also goes out to all of the Associates and Customers who were there during this traumatic event.”
In a statement provided to Newsweek on Sunday, In-N-Out Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said: "We are heartbroken. Our prayers go out to our Customers, our Associates, and all of their families. We are working with the Twin Falls Police Department to assist in the on-going investigation.”
The restaurant chain's Twin Falls location had opened on July 24, as part of the California-based chain’s recent expansion to Idaho.
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