An In-N-Out Burger employee killed in a mass shooting outside one of the fast food chain’s Idaho restaurants was killed while working her first-ever job, according to reports.
The shooting unfolded in Twin Falls on Saturday, with three victims being killed during the attack. According to the Twin Falls Police Department, the suspect in the shooting was identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
However, the family of late In-N-Out employee Ashley Garibay told The California Post that working at the chain was her first job and that she “fell in love” with it.
“She proudly traveled to open new stores, and her dream was to one day manage an In-N-Out store,” the family said. “She was passionate about serving customers and left this world doing what she loved to do.”
A statement given by the family to The Los Angeles Times revealed that they have been left “heartbroken and devastated” by 23-year-old Garibay’s death.
“She was a friend to all, and no matter what difficulties she was facing, she always found a way to help others find the light in the darkness,” Garibay’s family said.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to raise money for funeral services has raised over $23,000 as of August 4.
Twin Falls police say that they first received reports of a shooting on August 1 at around 2.29 p.m.
Authorities also confirmed that seven victims were injured, two of whom were treated and released and three of whom are in stable condition.
Two others are in critical condition.
Williams, the deceased suspect, is believed to have acted alone.
In a statement shared online, In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder said that Williams attacked victims both on and off In-N-Out’s property and ended his life shortly after shooting “innocent people who never saw it coming.”
“In-N-Out will be mourning with the families and praying for them as they tread through a very painful season,” Snyder wrote.
Jordan Salinas, a 35-year-old private citizen, told ABC News that he confronted the shooting after he spotted Williams aiming a rifle at passing vehicles.
"He seemed unusually comfortable aiming that rifle at those cars," Salinas said. "As soon as some rounds started coming at him, everything changed immediately. All that bravado he had immediately crumbled."
During a Sunday news conference, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said that Salinas and an armed off-duty Idaho State Police trooper confronting the suspect helped drive Williams away from the scene and saved lives.
A second victim was identified to The Associated Press as Christopher Claunch by his sister, Kimberley Castaneda.
Garren Taylor, one of Claunch’s friends, said the late man was known by friends as “Toph” and had dedicated his life to helping people get sober.
“He helped hundreds of people,” Taylor told the publication. “He was just a gift to anyone he came in contact with. It wasn’t about the paycheck; his attitude was: ‘I get to help someone today.’”
The In-N-Out location where the shooting took place opened just weeks ago on July 24, according to a company press release.
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