TEENAGE hero Braxton Steube has revealed the heart-pounding moment he stared down the barrel of the gun of the In-N-Out mass shooter.
Three people were killed and seven injured when Chad Williams, 24, opened fire at the newly opened burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 1.
Williams stormed the retail complex armed with a camouflaged AR-15-style rifle, seemingly targeting customers in the drive-thru and firing random shots before fleeing and ending his own life.
Hundreds of people were in the area at the time, Twin Falls police chief Matthew Hicks said at a press conference, as he described the scene as “exceptionally chaotic.”
Heroic citizens raced to help with one armed bystander opening fire at the gunman during the afternoon rampage.
Meanwhile, Steube, 17, who was working at the nearby Dicks Sporting Goods came face-to-face with Williams and describes the moment he distracted him and his life was spared.
“I saw the gun and I just froze and put my hands up and that’s when he pointed the gun directly at me,” the teen told KMVT News.
“I said, I have a family. You don’t have to do this, I’ll tell you whatever you want, I’ll do anything.”
According to Steube, Williams “started to tear up” and said “Just get away from me, man.”
It was this brief conversation and distraction that helped In-N-Out employees evacuate to safety while other heroic bystanders rendered aid to those who were injured.
Chilling footage showed employees scrambling for cover as shots flew through the window into the kitchen.
Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks called the teen a “hero” and said, “your courage, your composure, your selflessness in that moment likely gave others the time they needed to escape harm.”
“This community is grateful for you, and we will never forget what you did that day,” he added.
A motive for the attack has still not been established but Williams was acting alone, police confirmed.
The restaurant reopened on Saturday night “with thoughtful consideration, respect and care,” In-and-Out said in a statement.
“We remain focused on honoring the precious lives lost, supporting those affected, and expressing our gratitude to the many individuals whose courage and compassion brought strength and hope to so many during this incredibly difficult time.
In-N-Out employee Ashley Garibay, 23, from California, was killed when she tried to protect customers.
Christopher Claunch, 59, and Dale Schultz, 66, were also killed in what Hicks described as a “violent, frightening and deeply traumatic” incident.
“It should have been a “normal Saturday afternoon,” he added.
“Employees showing up for work. Visitors coming to see our beautiful city. Instead they were confronted with chaos, fear and now loss.”
A joint investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and police have confirmed Williams’ family is cooperating with them.
