One was a young worker at the popular In-N-Out burger chain in Twin Falls, Idaho, with dreams of managing her own store one day. Another was a man who had gotten sober and worked to help others with substance problems improve their lives. And another was simply charging his vehicle after another day of work. All three were among the victims of a 24-year-old gunman who opened fire Saturday afternoon outside the restaurant in the town of around 50,000 people. Three people were killed and seven were injured. The families of Ashley Garibay, 23, and Christopher Claunch confirmed they were killed. An off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired on the gunman and diverted him from the restaurant, the police chief said. The gunman, Chad Williams, fatally shot himself, police said. Investigators were working Monday to determine more about the shooting and a possible motive. Here is what we know about some of the victims: Christopher Claunch, killed in shooting, helped others with sobriety Christopher Claunch, known as “Toph,” worked at the treatment facility in Rupert where he had gotten sober, which a family friend said was a joy in his life. Claunch “was always successful out there, but doing this was definitely the bright spot of his day, of his life, helping others find recovery,” said Garren Taylor, a spokesperson for the Claunch family. Claunch worked at the Renaissance Ranch, where he had gotten sober, Taylor said. When he was finished, the center wanted him to work there. “His big, open, giving heart, he was able to help so many people in a short amount of time in those two years,” Taylor said. Claunch touched many lives, and he helped those struggling with alcoholism or other types of addiction, people whom society can sometimes see as “throwaways,” Taylor said. “Toph was the kind of guy that — he was a magnet to those people, and he could open them up and share with them in a way that made a difference,” Taylor said. Claunch’s partner of 25 years, Teresa Sperry, found out that Claunch had been killed when the sheriff’s department arrived at her house at 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Ashley Garibay, slain In-N-Out associate, was ‘amazing, beautiful soul’ Ashley Garibay was a 23-year-old associate at In-N-Out, “and she fell in love with it,” her family said in a statement Monday. “In-N-Out Burger was Ashley’s first job, and she fell in love with it. She proudly traveled to open new stores, and her dream was to one day manage an In-N-Out store,” her family said. They said she loved serving customers “and left this world doing what she loved to do.” Garibay was “a devoted daughter, sister, auntie, cousin and friend,” her family said. “Ashley was an amazing, beautiful soul who loved living life. She was adventurous, outgoing, smart and driven, never letting obstacles get in her way,” the family said. “She lit up a room with her bright smile and a laugh that was contagious. She was a friend to all, and no matter what difficulties she was facing, she always found a way to help others find the light in the darkness,” they said. Lynsi Snyder, the president of In-N-Out Burger, said Sunday that she was heartbroken. “She was taking care of our most important asset — our customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own,” Snyder said. “He shot both on our property and off and ended his life shortly after he took the precious lives of our associate and customers, innocent people who never saw it coming,” Snyder said. The wounded Taxi driver Terry Dudley was charging his Tesla in anticipation of the end of a shift when he was shot “in the back, around the neck area,” his son, Michael Dudley, said Sunday. “He was just in the car,” Michael Dudley said. “He got shot, and then the car next to him got lit up, as well.” Terry Dudley was sitting in the driver’s seat when he was hit, his son said. Michael Dudley said his father was conscious until paramedics arrived. Terry Dudley called 911, which was busy, and then called his friend and said he’d been shot, Michael Dudley said. “He’s in pretty rough shape, but it’s to be expected,” Michael Dudley said. “But they’re doing everything they can. He seems to be stabilizing, so hopefully he stays on the upturn.” At first, imaging “looked like it missed everything, right? Like somehow, someway, like miracle,” he said. But further examination detected bleeding, and he required surgery, Michael Dudley said. James Palmer, who owns the taxi service Terry Dudley works for, said the driver called him to tell him he had been shot after he couldn’t get through to 911. He said Dudley was flown to a hospital in Boise and remained there Monday with serious injuries. “It’s a lot, man,” Palmer said. “It’s daunting, to say the least, to even try to gather the scope of all this. It’s been absolute chaos.” He said Dudley was “kind of like my right hand.” Marcus Scott said on Facebook that his son Austin “A.J.” Scott was critically wounded and faces a long recovery. He said his son was shot after he moved “toward the danger” when he heard gunfire in an effort to protect others. “We are incredibly thankful that God spared his life and that his wife and friend were there to provide immediate care until he could get to the hospital,” he wrote. Marcus Scott said in a message to The Associated Press on Monday that his son used to work as an officer for Twin Falls police and the Idaho State Police. He declined to comment further on his son’s actions, saying it is his son’s story to tell.
What we know about the victims of the Idaho shooting
· 1 day ago
One was a young worker at the popular In-N-Out burger chain in Twin Falls, Idaho, with dreams of managing her own store one day. Another was a man who had gotten sober and worked to help others with substance problems improve their lives. And another was simply charging his vehicle after another day...
Source: NBC News
Read full story on NBC News