A harrowing encounter during a deadly shooting at an Idaho In-N-Out restaurant saw a young bystander’s desperate plea save his own life. Braxton Stuebe, a 17-year-old employee of a neighboring store, confronted the gunman, Chad Williams, and engaged him in a conversation that reportedly caused the shooter to become emotional and ultimately spare him. The incident, which occurred on a Saturday evening, resulted in three fatalities and several injuries before the gunman took his own life.
Heroic Bystander’s Account of Confronting the Gunman
Braxton Stuebe recounted the terrifying moments he came face-to-face with Chad Williams outside the In-N-Out in Twin Falls. Stuebe, who worked at a nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods, stumbled upon the scene as the shooting unfolded. His immediate thought was to remain calm and avoid any sudden movements that might provoke the armed assailant. “The only thing I was really thinking was, don’t try and make any sudden movements, don’t try and run. Just hopefully talk to him and hopefully he can change his mind,” Stuebe shared in an interview with KMVT-TV.
In a moment of profound desperation, Stuebe spoke directly to Williams, revealing personal details in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. “I said, I have a family. I said, you don’t have to do this. I’ll tell you whatever you want. I’ll do anything,” he recalled. This plea appeared to have an impact on the gunman. Stuebe observed Williams becoming visibly emotional, noting, “He started to like tear up a bit, it seemed like. And kind of just got like emotional, it seemed like.” Williams then reportedly told Stuebe, “just get away from me, man,” in a trembling voice, as if crying, before firing a shot in Stuebe’s direction, which missed. Williams then continued on his path down a nature trail, where he later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Community Reaction and Official Praise
The shooting sent shockwaves through the Twin Falls community, a town known for its sense of care and compassion. Stuebe, reflecting on the event in a social media post, described the experience as “terrifying and traumatic.” While physically unharmed, he expressed deep sorrow for the victims and their families. “While I am physically safe, my heart is heavy for our community and for everyone whose lives were changed forever this past weekend,” he wrote. “For this to happen in a town like Twin Falls is heartbreaking.” Stuebe also extended his gratitude to all those who acted heroically during the incident, including first responders and bystanders who aided others.
Aisha White, Stuebe’s mother, shared her overwhelming emotions on Facebook, describing the conflicting feelings of fear, heartbreak, and immense gratitude for her son’s survival. “As his mom and parent there are feelings I don’t think I will ever be able to fully put into words,” she posted. “The fear, the heartbreak, the overwhelming gratitude that he is here… it all exists at the same time… my emotions are all over the place.”
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks lauded Stuebe’s bravery, calling him a “hero.” “Your courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm,” Hicks stated. “This community is grateful for you, and we will never forget what you did that day.” Chief Hicks also commended an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper, Austin James, who confronted Williams and was injured during the encounter.
Sequence of the Deadly Shooting
The tragic events began when Chad Williams opened fire in the In-N-Out drive-thru, killing 23-year-old Ashley Garibay, who was taking orders. Surveillance footage captured employees scrambling for safety as the gunfire erupted. Williams then proceeded through the drive-thru and is believed to have shot and killed 59-year-old Christopher Claunch, who was in a vehicle ahead.
The gunman continued his rampage outside the restaurant, firing at other patrons. As an off-duty officer returned fire, Williams fled to a nearby street, where he shot at cars stopped at a red light. He then moved to the parking lot, firing at individuals at a Tesla charging station, resulting in the death of Dale Schultz and injuring his passenger. Williams’s deadly spree concluded when he retreated to a nature trail near a visitor’s center, where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound upon being confronted by law enforcement.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive behind this violent and deeply traumatic shooting remains unclear. Williams’ family is reportedly cooperating with investigators. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and the Idaho State Police, are involved in the ongoing investigation. The FBI has also requested public assistance, asking for any relevant tips, videos, or images that could aid in understanding the events that transpired.
The victims of the shooting have been identified as Ashley Garibay, Christopher Claunch, and Dale Schultz. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on communities and the bravery displayed by ordinary citizens in extraordinary circumstances.
