Twin Falls Locals Talk Store Responses On-Air In Wake Of Shootings

Many Twin Falls store employees returned to their shifts this morning for the first time since Saturday afternoon's mass shooting along Blue Lakes Boulevard North. Three people were fatally shot and several more injured by a 24-year-old male who acted alone.

Emergency responders from throughout southern Idaho, including Boise, helped defend the city Saturday as civilians and store employees ran for cover from the bullets that began flying shortly after 2 P.M. One off-duty officer and a civilian joined the firefight and ultimately aided in pushing the shooter away from more potential targets.

There have been numerous videos that have circulated online showing the shooter walking near the visitor center and In-N-Out, where most of the public assault took place. Twin Falls police moved in on the Magic Valley Mall at approximately 3 P.M. to secure the scene; I know, because they ran right past me.

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Twin Falls Residents Praised Store Managers, Community For Response To August 1 Mass Shooting On Radio Show

Police remained on-scene Sunday following the August 1 mass shooting incident. Townsquare Media: Bill Colley

Police arrived at Magic Valley Mall at 3 P.M. Saturday in response to the mass shooting. Credit: Greg Jannetta

During the KEZJ 95.7 FM country morning show on Monday, several community members near the carnage praised store management staff and others who were in the area who did a great job protecting their employees and fellow community members.

'Please recognize the adjoining store employees and managers. There were several In-N-Out employees that ran and were housed in those. My wife and I were in Ross when the lockdown started, and several In-N-Out employees came in. Some were next to the drive-through when shooting started and witnessed what no one should, and the assistant manager and her team were amazing. I'm rooting for Ross, but the other stores need to be shouted out too,' messaged a resident of Oakley on the radio station's app.

'I'm grateful for the 2 civilians and all of the law enforcement and emergency responders that the situation over the weekend wasn't worse than it could have been my niece and her family was eating in In-N-Out at the time, 'said a Jerome resident on the app.

READ MORE: Mass Shooting Update: Night Falls On Twin Falls Darkest Day

I read many comments on social media Monday morning that questioned the way some stores carried out emergency plans, but considering the chaotic nature of the incident, it appears employee safety was the number one concern of the majority of businesses that housed workers during the chaos.

From everyone at Townsquare Media, we thank all law enforcement personnel who responded to the mass shooting on Saturday, as well as all the store managers who kept employees safe.

Did you witness emergency plans being carried out safely on Saturday by area businesses?