The peaceful Saturday afternoon at Twin Falls’ newly opened In-N-Out Burger turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy on August 1, 2026. What began as a routine trip for burgers became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history, leaving three people dead and two others injured. As investigators piece together the events, authorities have identified the suspected gunman as Amer Mandzic, a 20-something Twin Falls resident with deep ties to the local community. The identity of Amer Mandzic has shocked residents, particularly because his father is a Twin Falls police officer. Here’s everything we currently know about the suspect, the victims, and the ongoing investigation.
Amer Mandzic is the suspected gunman identified in the August 1, 2026, In-N-Out shooting in Twin Falls, Idaho. The 20-something Bosnian-American resident allegedly opened fire near the newly opened restaurant, killing three people and injuring two others before being shot and killed by responding police officers. His father, Dzevad Mandzic, serves as a Twin Falls police officer.
What Happened at In-N-Out?
The shooting erupted shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the In-N-Out Burger location that had opened just one week earlier on July 24. The restaurant was packed with afternoon customers when witnesses reported hearing a rapid barrage of gunfire.
Key details from the scene:
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The suspect reportedly exited a white vehicle and opened the trunk
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Witnesses described him retrieving what appeared to be a second firearm
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He was wearing blue jeans, glasses, and a black T-shirt with a large logo
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Video footage shows him carrying a camouflaged AR-style rifle through the drive-thru area
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Police arrived and engaged the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed during an evening press briefing that three people lost their lives, while two additional victims sustained injuries. The injured were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center, where two patients remained hospitalized as of Saturday night.
Who Was Amer Mandzic?
Amer Mandzic was identified as the suspected shooter, and his background has added layers of complexity to this tragedy. Born to Bosnian immigrant parents, Mandzic grew up in Twin Falls as the son of Dzevad Mandzic, a longtime Twin Falls police officer, and Ermina Tabak Mandzic.
The Mandzic family immigrated from Bosnia, and Amer was reportedly proud of his heritage. However, according to social media posts from his sister, Amela Purgic, and other family acquaintances, Amer had become increasingly withdrawn over the last couple of years. One family member noted online that he appeared to grow “more extreme” during his time of getting into Bosnian and communist memorabilia.
As one person close to the family shared: “I feel bad for his mother. I feel he got distant the last couple years as he got more extreme.”
The Mandzic Family Connection
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of this case involves Amer’s father. Dzevad Mandzic has served as a Twin Falls police officer for years—the very department that responded to the shooting and ultimately engaged his son. The emotional weight of this connection cannot be overstated.
Amer’s mother, Ermina Tabak Mandzic, and sister, Amela Purgic, are now left to grapple with the unthinkable. Amela’s social media activity in the hours after the shooting expressed both grief and a sense of distant sorrow, suggesting the family had watched Amer drift away from them in recent years.
Police have not confirmed any communication between Mandzic and his father before or during the incident. However, the irony of an officer’s son becoming the subject of a mass shooting investigation has shaken the Twin Falls law enforcement community.
Investigation & Motive: What We Know So Far
Authorities are still working to determine what drove Amer Mandzic to commit this act of violence.
According to Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks, the department is “trying to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that.” He assured the public that investigators “will be able to figure that out in the next coming days.”
Current investigation status:
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Police are interviewing hundreds of witnesses
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Social media posts by Mandzic are being reviewed
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Investigators are examining his recent interests in Bosnian history and communist memorabilia
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Authorities have asked the public to refrain from sharing unverified information
Hicks specifically warned about “misinformation” circulating on social media regarding the suspect’s identity and motives. The department is asking residents to let investigators complete their work before jumping to conclusions.
Community Response and Official Statements
The Twin Falls community is in mourning, and local leaders have called for unity and prayer.
Idaho Governor Brad Little released this statement:
“Idahoans, join me in keeping the Twin Falls community in your prayers as law enforcement and first responders respond to an active shooter situation near In-N-Out. Please avoid the area and follow directions from law enforcement as they work to keep everyone safe.”
The Twin Falls Police Department posted on social media at 2:23 p.m. Saturday: “Our department is responding to an active shooter incident.” By the evening, the shelter-in-place orders had been lifted, though police continue to ask residents to avoid the commercial area where the shooting occurred.
The newly opened In-N-Out location remains closed, and the restaurant chain has not yet released an official statement regarding the tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amer Mandzic?
Amer Mandzic is a Twin Falls, Idaho, resident identified as the suspected shooter in the August 1, 2026, In-N-Out mass shooting. He was in his 20s, of Bosnian descent, and the son of a Twin Falls police officer, Dzevad Mandzic.
Where did the In-N-Out shooting happen?
The shooting occurred at the newly opened In-N-Out Burger location in Twin Falls, Idaho, on the city’s north side. The restaurant had opened just one week earlier on July 24, 2026.
How many people died in the Twin Falls shooting?
Three people were killed in the shooting, with two additional victims injured and transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. Two patients remained hospitalized as of Saturday evening.
Was the suspect in the Twin Falls shooting killed by police?
Yes, the suspected gunman, Amer Mandzic, was shot and killed by responding law enforcement officers. Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed the threat to the community has ended.
Is Amer Mandzic related to a Twin Falls police officer?
Yes. Amer Mandzic’s father, Dzevad Mandzic, serves as an officer with the Twin Falls Police Department. The family has Bosnian immigrant roots, and his mother is Ermina Tabak Mandzic.
Conclusion
The In-N-Out shooting in Twin Falls has left a community reeling from a tragedy that feels both random and deeply personal. As investigators work to understand what motivated Amer Mandzic to commit such violence, the victims’ families are now grieving, and the Mandzic family faces an unimaginable burden of their own. If you have information related to this incident, authorities urge you to contact the Twin Falls Police Department. As the investigation continues, more details will emerge, but for now, the community mourns the lives lost and prays for the injured to recover.