An Australian woman has endured a horrific ordeal, surviving a mass shooting at a US fast-food restaurant by taking refuge in a freezer as a lone gunman murdered three of her colleagues. The 24-year-old West Covina resident, originally from Sydney, was part of an “all-star team” brought in to Twin Falls, Idaho, to train new staff ahead of the In-N-Out Burger’s highly anticipated opening.
The woman, whose identity is being withheld for her safety, made a harrowing phone call to her parents in Sydney during the unfolding tragedy, whispering that a shooter was loose in the restaurant. Her parents, left in a state of terror, could only listen helplessly as the nightmare unfolded thousands of kilometres away.
Bloodshed Before Opening
The incident, which has shocked the tight-knit Twin Falls community, occurred just days before the popular Californian burger chain was set to open its doors. According to reports from the NY Post Metro, the gunman, identified by authorities as a disgruntled former employee, entered the premises on Tuesday evening, opening fire on staff members who were preparing for the grand opening. The Australian woman, a dedicated employee of In-N-Out Burger, had travelled to Idaho specifically for this crucial training period, a common practice for the company when expanding into new markets.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and panic as gunshots rang out through the kitchen and dining area. Many staff members, caught unaware, scrambled for cover. The Australian woman, demonstrating incredible presence of mind under extreme duress, managed to reach a walk-in freezer and barricade herself inside, where she remained in fear for her life until police secured the scene.
Agonising Wait for Parents
For her parents back in Sydney, the phone call was an unimaginable torment. They heard their daughter’s hushed, terrified voice describing the unfolding violence, then an unbearable silence as they waited for news of her fate. “It was the longest few hours of our lives,” a family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Sydney Daily News. “They didn't know if she was alive or dead, just that she was hiding and a shooter was there.”
Police arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving multiple 911 calls. They found three employees dead from gunshot wounds. The gunman was apprehended after a brief standoff. Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims or the shooter, pending notification of next of kin and further investigation into his motive. The Twin Falls Police Department confirmed that the incident was not random, with the shooter specifically targeting former colleagues.
Community Reels from Tragedy
The local community in Twin Falls, a city of approximately 50,000 people, has been left devastated by the senseless violence. The much-anticipated opening of the In-N-Out Burger, which had generated significant excitement and promised new job opportunities, has now been overshadowed by tragedy. Local officials have expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and praised the swift actions of emergency services.
Counselling services have been made available for the surviving employees and their families, including the Australian woman, who is now grappling with the trauma of what she witnessed. In-N-Out Burger has released a statement expressing profound sorrow and offering support to all those affected by the horrific event. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the Australian national and her family, though would not comment further due to privacy considerations. The incident serves as another stark reminder of the pervasive gun violence that continues to plague the United States.
