By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
UPDATE: An armed private citizen using a semiautomatic FN Five-Seven pistol fitted with a suppressor is being called a hero for opening fire on a killer armed with a rifle at a recently-opened In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Jordan Salinas, 35, is quoted by the Idaho Statesman stating, “There’s a task that needs to be done, and we’re the ones who need to do it.” When he and his girlfriend pulled into the fast food Saturday afternoon, they quickly surmised they had driven into the middle of a shooting incident.
As described by the newspaper, he moved toward the sound of gunfire, drew his pistol from a shoulder holster, maintained trigger discipline until he got a clear view of killer Chad Williams, and opened fire.
TGM has reached out to Salinas through an acquaintance, but so far, there has been no response.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bears has issued a statement commending Salinas’ courageous action.
“Clearly from the videos we’ve seen, the citizen, identified as Jordan Salinas, disregarded his personal safety in a courageous effort to stop the shooting,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “You can’t invent that kind of courage, especially when it involved taking on a dangerous man, who was armed with a rifle, when you’re armed with a Five-Seven pistol. While our thoughts are with the victims of this attack, we are grateful that a good man stepped forward, in harm’s way, to courageously intervene.
“We still don’t know the identity of the off-duty officer who also engaged the gunman,” he added, “but we’re certain the good citizens of Twin Falls are indebted to him as well. We’re impressed how two good guys, acting independently of one another, moved in on the perpetrator, causing him to retreat until uniformed officers could arrive and handle the situation.”
“As in the past,” Gottlieb observed, “the gun prohibition crowd is nowhere to be seen or heard. The fact that Mr. Salinas had a silencer on his pistol further demonstrates that good people can own modern handguns and sound suppressors, with which they can accomplish good things.
“We commend the actions of Mr. Salinas and the unidentified, off-duty officer,” he stated, “and we also commend Idaho lawmakers who have made it possible for law-abiding citizens to be armed in public so they may not only defend themselves, but protect others when a deadly emergency unfolds.”
The Statesman newspaper is reporting that law enforcement “declined to answer any questions from the media Sunday.” Twin Falls County Sheriff Jack Johnson reportedly would not confirm Salinas was the armed Samaritan, and neither would a Twin Falls Police Department spokesman.
But Salinas’ name is all over the Internet, and he has been identified by the New York Post as the man who one of two men who intervened. The other person who returned fire was only identified as an off-duty policeman.
Their efforts were hailed by Sheriff Johnson as deflecting Williams’ attention, and saving lives.
In the end, three people, including an In-N-Out employee, were killed and several others were injured.
There is so far no established motive for the rampage.
Salinas, described as a health care worker and full-time caregiver for his brother, who is confined to a wheelchair, practices shooting regularly. He even has posted a video online, showing him drawing the Five-Seven pistol from his shoulder holster and firing two shots as part of a self-training drill.
On his Facebook page, Salinas posted this message: “The last 24 hours have been overwhelming. I want to sincerely thank my family, friends, and everyone who has reached out with messages, prayers, and support. I haven’t been able to respond to everyone yet, but please know I’ve seen your messages, and they mean more to me than I can put into words.
“In the coming days, I’ll share a more complete account of what happened, to the best of my recollection, when I’m able.
“For now, my heart remains with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy. Thank you for continuing to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for the incredible support you’ve shown me and my family.”
For comparison, the Five-Seven centerfire cartridge—which was initially developed for NATO as a replacement for the 9mm cartridge, according to a history on Wikipedia—fires bullets weighing between 23 and 40 grains, with muzzle velocities topping 2,300 fps. The bullet diameter is 0.224-inch.
It compares with the .22 Magnum rimfire cartridge, which also fires a 0.224-caliber projectile. A Federal Premium .22 Magnum load launches a 30-grain JHP at a reported 2,200 fps
