On August 1, 2026, a vibrant 23-year-old woman's life was tragically cut short in what should have been an ordinary Saturday afternoon at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. Ashley Garibay, a dedicated employee from Stockton, California, was in Idaho as part of a team training new staff at the recently expanded restaurant. Known for her passion for her job, which was her first, Ashley dreamed of one day managing her own In-N-Out store. Family and friends remember her as a "beautiful soul" who was adventurous, outgoing, smart, and driven, with a contagious laugh and a smile that could light up a room. She had a knack for helping others find light in their darkness, a quality that makes her sudden death all the more poignant.
The day turned into a scene of chaos and terror when a gunman, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, opened fire at the bustling restaurant. The first shots were fired through the drive-thru window, striking Ashley as she was diligently serving customers. The senseless act of violence didn't stop there. Williams continued his rampage, killing two other people, 66-year-old Dale Schultz and 59-year-old Christopher Claunch, and injuring at least seven others in and around the establishment. The horrific event was mitigated from becoming even deadlier by the heroic actions of an off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed civilian who confronted and returned fire at the shooter. Their intervention is believed to have driven Williams away from the restaurant, preventing further casualties.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Chad Williams was found to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving a community in mourning and a family grappling with an immense loss. Since the suspect took his own life at the scene, there were no arrests, trials, or convictions to follow. Investigators believe Williams acted alone, though his motive for the devastating attack remains undetermined. The case remains a tragic example of a life full of promise senselessly extinguished. Ashley Garibay, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend who had traveled to Idaho to pursue her professional ambitions, became a victim of a violent act that left an indelible scar on the Twin Falls community and all who knew her. Her family expressed their gratitude for the first responders and bystanders who comforted Ashley in her final moments, forever remembering a young woman who was passionate about her work and left the world doing what she loved.
