Washington, 02 August (H.S.): At least three people were killed and five others injured in a shooting at the popular In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday afternoon. The suspected gunman also died while attempting to flee the scene, authorities said, adding that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

According to local officials, the shooting occurred at the restaurant, which had celebrated its grand opening just a week earlier. Emergency responders and law enforcement personnel rushed to the scene after reports of multiple gunshots.

Twin Falls Public Information Officer Josh Palmer confirmed that three people lost their lives in the attack and five others sustained injuries. He said the suspected shooter was found dead while fleeing the area. Authorities have not yet determined whether the suspect was fatally shot by police or died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting.

Videos circulating on social media showed frightened customers running out of the restaurant towards the Blue Lakes and Bridgeview intersection moments after the gunfire erupted. Another video appeared to show an armed individual approaching a vehicle in the restaurant's drive-through lane.

A witness, Alexis Aguilar, said he and several friends had arrived at the restaurant to have lunch when they suddenly heard multiple gunshots. Panic spread immediately, and customers fled the premises in an attempt to save their lives.

Authorities said precautionary security measures were implemented following the shooting. Idaho State Police coordinated with neighbouring jurisdictions as the situation unfolded. Idaho shares borders with Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks urged residents to remain calm, stating that there was no longer any immediate threat to public safety. He added that preliminary evidence suggests the suspect may have taken his own life after carrying out the attack, although the exact circumstances of his death remain under investigation.

Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspected gunman. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar