By admin 
Austin Scott James continues his recovery days after he was critically wounded Saturday while confronting the killer in a mass shooting at an Idaho In-and-Out that left three dead including a Stockton woman who trained workers at the restaurant.
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More surgeries are ahead for James, the Antelope High School graduate and son of a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle officer, who lives in Twin Falls, Idaho, said family members.
A rifle round fired by the killer, 24-year-old Chad Williams, shattered James’ arm and severed an artery. He may have died but for his wife, Connie, and a friend, both nurses, who rushed to staunch the bleeding and speed him to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery, James’ family said in an online GiveSendGo appeal.
The couple and a friend were in the drive-thru line when shots rang out Saturday afternoon. James, a former Twin Falls and Idaho State Police officer, told his wife and the friend with them to stay in the car, according to family and Idaho and Sacramento news accounts.
James ran toward the sound of gunfire. He was armed but did not draw his weapon lest he be confused by law enforcement for the gunman.
Williams, 24, killed three people that day, including Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, an In-and-Out associate in Twin Falls to train new employees at the location.
“In-and-Out was Ashley’s first job and she fell in love with it,” her family wrote in a statement to the Idaho Statesman. Garibay’s family remembered her as “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.”
James turned the corner of the building where Williams stood with his rifle. Williams’ blast tore through James’ arm and Williams fled.
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“Despite being critically wounded, Austin’s actions drew the suspect’s attention away from others who were in the area, allowing him to seek cover as he fought to stay alive,” the family’s GiveSendGo appeal read.
The gunman eventually fled while Austin was losing blood.
Williams later took his own life, but not before killing the three and wounding seven others, including James.
Investigating authorities have no motive for the shootings.
James’ road to healing will be long, his family said in their appeal. Operations, recovery, rehabilitation, and months away from work lay ahead. His wife will also take time away to help James mend.
The family has raised more than $151,000 toward a goal of $250,000 to defray medical expenses, lost wages and household expenses.
“We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support everyone has shown. Thank you for standing with our family during this difficult time,” the family’s appeal read. “We love you all and appreciate everyone so much. Your generosity truly means the world to us.”
The Idaho Statesman’s Mark Dee and Alex Brizee, and The Bee’s Nicole Buss contributed to this story.
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This story was originally published August 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM.