A bystander who came face-to-face with the Idaho gunman has described the urgent words he believes caused the shooter to break down — and ultimately let him live.
Chad Williams, 24, used an AK-style rifle to attack customers and workers at an In-N-Out in Idaho on Saturday evening before taking his own life. The shooting left three people dead and several others injured.
Authorities later released disturbing video from the incident, combining surveillance footage with police body camera clips that captured portions of the chaotic and deadly scene.
Among the footage was a tense exchange involving 17-year-old Braxton Stuebe, an employee at the nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods, who spoke with the armed suspect shortly before Williams walked onto a nature trail and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Stuebe said he encountered Williams outside the store and immediately focused on staying calm. Speaking to KMVT-TV, he recalled: ‘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.’
‘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 started to like tear up a bit, it seemed like. And kind of just got like emotional, it seemed like. And he said to me, just get away from me, man. And a stuttering voice, like as if he was crying.’
According to Stuebe, Williams then fired toward him but missed before moving away and continuing down the trail.
Braxton Stuebe, 17, reflected on his experience surviving a shooting event in Idaho, revealing what he said when he confronted the shooter
Stuebe told the gunman about his family and begged him to walk away, revealing that he saw the shooter get emotional
Stuebe’s mother also reflected on the harrowing event, confessing that she felt a mix of emotions after her son survived
The heroic bystander also shared online that coming face-to-face with a gunman was a ‘terrifying and traumatic experience.’
‘While I am physically safe, my heart is heavy for our community and for everyone whose lives were changed forever this past weekend,’ Stuebe reflected in a recent social media post.
‘For this to happen in a town like Twin Falls is heartbreaking. Our community has always been defined by care and compassion, and it is difficult to process that this occurred here,’ he continued.
‘I want to thank every individual who stepped up on August 1st and put their lives on the line-those who helped save others, those who were injured while protecting the lives of many, and the numerous law enforcement agencies who rushed in to prevent further loss of life.’
Stuebe’s mother, Aisha White, shared on Facebook after the attack that her son faced something no child should have to.
‘As his mom and parent there are feelings I don’t think I will ever be able to fully put into words,’ she wrote.
‘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.’
The deadly shooting claimed the lives of three individuals – Ashley Garibay, Christopher Claunch and Dale Schultz
Disturbing new surveillance footage has revealed new details on the sequence of events that led to the deadly shooting at an Idaho In-N-Out. The suspected gunman, Chad Williams, first unleashed bullets in the drive-thru
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Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks called the shooting ‘violent, frightening and deeply traumatic.’
‘It should have been a “normal Saturday afternoon,” he added.
‘Employees showing up for work. Visitors coming to see our beautiful city. Instead they were confronted with chaos, fear and now loss.’
Hicks called Stube a ‘hero’ for confronting the gunman. ‘Your courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm. This community is grateful for you, and we will never forget what you did that day.’
Hicks also praised an off-duty trooper and former police officer, Austin James, for confronting Williams during his deadly pursuit.
The former Twin Falls police officer and Idaho State Police trooper rushed toward the sound of the gunfire, only to come face-to-face with the shooter and become the third person struck.
Williams first opened fire at the In-N-Out, killing 23-year-old Ashley Garibay as she took orders at the drive-thru.
After bullets first rang out, employees at the fast food restaurant were seen on surveillance footage scrambling for shelter and hiding on the floor
An off-duty police officer shot at Williams from inside the restaurant
Harrowing footage revealed employees scrambling to help her as they ducked for cover on the restaurant floor.
The gunman then continued through the drive-thru before he was captured on surveillance camera approaching the car ahead of him with a gun in hand.
Police believe he then shot his second victim, 59-year-old Christopher Claunch, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
He opened fire on several other patrons from outside before the ISP officer began returning fire.
Williams then shot a fourth victim – a good Samaritan who police said was attempting to help the wounded victims inside the restaurant.
He then fled to a nearby street and was seen unleashing bullets on cars stopped at a red light, striking three more victims.
The gunman then continued the deadly pursuit in the parking lot, striking the eighth victim who was sitting in their Tesla at a charging station.
Bullets were then fired at a second Tesla, killing Dale Schultz and striking his passenger.
After unleashing bullets at the In-N-Out and on the street, Williams retreated to the parking lot, where he shot individuals at the Tesla charging station
After leaving the visitor’s center, Williams retreated down a nature trail and officers followed him
Williams continued to a second location, a nearby visitor’s center where three people sheltered.
He then exited toward the nature trail and turned the gun on himself when police confronted him.
The motive behind the senseless shooting remains unclear but Williams’ family is cooperating with police.
Local police departments, including the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Meridian Police Department and ISP, continue to investigate.
The FBI has also asked the public to submit tips, videos and images related to the shooting to help investigators.
