Fact Check: Was Jordan Salinas the armed civilian who confronted the Idaho shooter?

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO: As investigators continue to piece together the deadly shooting outside an In-N-Out Burger in Idaho, social media users have shifted their attention to an armed civilian who appears to have confronted the gunman during the chaos. Viral videos identifying the individual as Jordan Salinas have spread rapidly across X and other platforms, drawing millions of views and prompting widespread praise. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Social media users identify Idaho shooting bystander as Jordan Salinas

Viral videos captured an armed civilian confronting the gunman during the mass shooting outside an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, prompting many social media users to hail the individual as a hero.

The attack left multiple people dead and several others injured. Authorities have confirmed that the suspected gunman also died, but they have not yet released details about his motive.

According to witness accounts, the suspect opened fire with an AR-style rifle before an armed bystander responded with a handgun. Videos of the exchange quickly spread across social media, with users praising the civilian's actions.

One user wrote, "This man is a HERO!!! He opened fire on an active shooter at an IN-N-OUT. He saved countless lives." Another commented, "WOW! An absolute PATRIOT put his LIFE on the line and engaged the shooter at a Twin Falls, ID drive-thru. THIS is America. This man exited his car and returned fire to force an active shooter to retreat, undoubtedly saving COUNTLESS lives. A TRUE HERO."

The footage shows a man holding a handgun with an extended barrel, taking a shooting stance and firing toward the suspect. Several online users have widely claimed that he is Jordan Salinas. 

Online accounts identifying Salinas describe him as a Twin Falls resident and firearms enthusiast. His most recent public post, shared on July 6, celebrated the right to bear arms during the United States' 250th anniversary observances. Since the shooting, users have flooded the post with comments praising the actions attributed to him.

Fact Check: Unverified

The claim is unconfirmed. Viral videos and social media posts say that the armed civilian who confronted the gunman during the Twin Falls, Idaho, shooting was Jordan Salinas. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the person's identity.

Officials have confirmed that an armed civilian confronted the suspected shooter during the attack. Videos and witness accounts show the bystander exchanging gunfire with the suspect. However, police have not released the civilian's name or said that he was Jordan Salinas.

The name "Jordan Salinas" spread online as users praised the armed civilian as a hero. Many social media posts linked the person in the videos to a Twin Falls resident who has an interest in firearms. However, no law enforcement agency has confirmed that he is the person seen confronting the shooter.

Since authorities have not verified the person's identity, it is not accurate to say that Jordan Salinas was the armed civilian involved in the shooting. The available information only confirms that an armed bystander intervened, while the person's identity remains unconfirmed.