TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Family, friends, coworkers, and members of the Twin Falls community are mourning the loss of Matthew Brander, 47, who has been identified as one of the victims killed in the mass shooting that unfolded near the newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls on Saturday afternoon.
The shooting, which occurred at the popular restaurant in southern Idaho, left three people dead and seven others injured, according to city officials. Several of those injured remain in critical condition as investigators continue working to determine what led to the violence.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene shortly after reports of gunfire erupted at the restaurant, where customers and employees were gathered during the busy afternoon hours. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people fled for safety while first responders rushed to assist victims.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said officers responding to the active shooter call encountered what he described as “a very chaotic scene.” He later assured residents that authorities believed there was no ongoing threat to the public.
“We believe the threat to the community is over,” Hicks said during a Saturday news conference.
According to Twin Falls city Public Information Officer Josh Palmer, officers located the body of the suspected gunman in an area near the restaurant after responding to the incident. Officials have not publicly confirmed additional details regarding how the suspect died.
Authorities have also not released an official motive for the shooting and continue to investigate the events leading up to the attack. Police said investigators are working to establish the suspect’s identity through official procedures before releasing that information publicly.
Because authorities were still notifying next of kin, officials initially withheld the names and identifying information of those killed and injured. As families have begun sharing information publicly, Matthew Brander has been identified as one of the victims whose life was tragically cut short.
Brander’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from those who knew him. Friends, relatives, and coworkers are remembering him as they come to terms with an unimaginable loss, while community members continue offering support to the families affected by one of the deadliest incidents in the city’s recent history.
The In-N-Out Burger location, which had recently opened to the public, quickly became the focus of a large law enforcement response involving local, state, and federal agencies. Investigators spent hours processing the scene, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and documenting the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Officials have not released additional information regarding the conditions of the injured victims, though several remain hospitalized as they receive ongoing medical care.
The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to examine evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview witnesses in an effort to determine what led to the deadly attack. Law enforcement officials have urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators.
As the Twin Falls community mourns those whose lives were lost, tributes continue to grow for Matthew Brander and the other victims. Family members, friends, and neighbors are remembering them while supporting one another during an extraordinarily difficult time.
Authorities have indicated that additional information, including confirmed details about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the shooting, will be released as the investigation progresses.
