By Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon
Last Saturday, the unthinkable happened. A gunman opened fire on guests and employees of a Twin Falls In-N-Out Burger, as well as a nearby Tesla charging station. Now, three people are dead, many more are injured, and a community has been shaken to its core.
Ashley Garibay was just 23 years old. In-N-Out was her first job, and she was recognized as an all-star by her colleagues and superiors. She came from Stockton, California, to train new workers at the Twin Falls restaurant, which had only been open for a week when it came under attack. According to her family, she lit up every room with her bright smile and had a laugh that was contagious.
Christopher Claunch, known as Toph to his friends, worked at a treatment center in Rupert, serving some of our most vulnerable citizens. He had battled tragedy and addiction in his own life, which inspired him to help others.
Dale and Reinette Schultz of Utah were on their way home from a family reunion when they stopped in Twin Falls to get lunch and charge their car. High school sweethearts, they had been married for more than 50 years, enjoying retirement together after raising three children.
Ashley, Toph, and Dale lost their lives in the attack, while Reinette remains among those seriously wounded. Now is the time to support their families through this horrific tragedy while making sure their loved ones are never forgotten.
Neither should we forget the heroes of that awful day. Jordan Salinas began training with firearms after a shooting in Boise in 2021, but had never pointed his gun at so much as an animal until Saturday. When he saw the gunman pointing a rifle at defenseless people, he stepped forward and returned fire, risking his own life to protect others.
The shooter also came under fire from another local hero, an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper who remains unnamed as of this writing.
Another man, former Twin Falls Police officer Austin James, ran toward the gunfire in an effort to stop the attack. He was seriously wounded while trying to protect others.
The actions of all three men likely prevented further casualties. It is one thing to fire a rifle at innocent and unarmed people; it is another thing entirely to face brave people willing to stand up and fight back.
While law enforcement works to discover the shooter’s motive, nothing can justify the murder of innocent people. This was a brazen act of heinous evil.
Yet Idaho is not defined by the violence of one individual. We are defined by the compassion, courage, and generosity shown in response. Idahoans have rallied around the victims’ families, supported those who were injured, and stood together in the face of tragedy.
The perpetrator of this crime will eventually fade from memory, but we will never forget those who lost their lives, the heroes who ran toward danger, nor the first responders who dedicate their lives to saving others. The worst moments reveal the best of who we are, and on Saturday, Idaho showed the world its strength.
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About Dorothy Moon
Dorothy Moon was elected to serve as the chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party in July of 2022, and reelected in 2024. Moon served three terms in the Idaho Legislature as State Representative for District 8. Moon’s career in public service has focused on the advancement of individual liberties and reducing the size and scope of government.
