WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WAS RUNNING… HE CHOSE TO STAND HIS GROUND..! – FAMILY SAYS THE HEROIC BYSTANDER WHO FACED THE TWIN FALLS IN-N-OUT GUNMAN IS NOW ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.
Austin “AJ” Scott was one of two people police said confronted the gunman in a shooting that left three dead and seven hurt.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Family and friends are calling a man a hero after he confronted a gunman during Saturday’s deadly mass shooting at an In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Twin Falls police said three people were killed and seven others were wounded.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Police Chief Matthew Hicks. Police said Williams is the only suspect at this time, and it’s believed he acted alone.
During a news conference on Sunday, Hicks said two people exchanged gunfire with Williams. One of them was Austin “AJ” Scott, a man previously from Sacramento, California. He was injured and was taken to a hospital.
“These people are true heroes in our community, and their actions diverted the shooter and no doubt saved many lives,” Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson said Sunday.
Scott’s father, Marcus, said Scott was in the drive-thru with his wife and a friend when he heard gunshots and ran toward the scene. Marcus said his son came face-to-face with the gunman and was shot in the arm, drawing the shooter’s attention away and allowing others to escape.
Friends who attended high school with Scott said they were shocked to hear his name but not surprised that he stepped in to help.
“Knowing Austin and knowing his, his high upstanding character, it makes a lot of sense to me that he was one of the first people who decided to selflessly serve and jump out of whatever situation he was in to ensure that people were safe and protected,” said Aidan Ballard, a longtime friend.
Ballard said that Scott followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in law enforcement. Scott’s father retired from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
Another friend, Bostyn Morse, said she has always known Scott to be selfless and willing to put himself in danger to protect others.
Scott’s former high school counselor, Erica Joseph Bradley, said she too was not surprised by his actions.
“Austin always did what he needed to do to reach his goals, and he never hesitated to follow what he believed was right, no matter what others thought,” Bradley said in a statement.
Scott’s father said his wife, Connie, an emergency room nurse, helped pull him from the scene, apply pressure to his wound and take him to the hospital.
