Ashley Garibay, who was among the victims shot to death over the weekend at an In-N-Out Burger in Idaho, had traveled from Stockton to train employees at the newly opened fast-food restaurant, according to news reports.
Garibay was based at an In-N-Out in Stockton and had been selected to train new employees as the California restaurant chain expanded into Idaho, her family said in a statement provided to The Associated Press.
In-N-Out was Garibay’s first job. She grew to love the work, frequently traveled to assist with restaurant openings and dreamed of managing a location one day, her family told the AP. She worked in Stockton and joined the traveling team in 2023, family spokesperson Kristin Cole said.
On Monday, Sabrina Garibay spoke to the Los Angeles Times and confirmed that her daughter Ashley was among the three people killed Saturday when a gunman opened fire on the In-N-Out in Twin Falls, Idaho.
She told the news outlet she had provided a statement to the burger chain that would be released on her behalf.
No messages had been publicly released by the company as of Tuesday, except for an initial statement from In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder following the deadly shooting.
Snyder confirmed at the time that one of the chain’s employees was among those killed.
“My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed. We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight,” Snyder wrote in a social media statement.
Ashley Garibay’s family said the young woman was “adventurous, outgoing, smart and driven, never letting obstacles get in her way.”
“She lit up a room with her bright smile and a laugh that was contagious,” the family said in a statement to the Associated Press.
Garibay was working at the Twin Falls restaurant as part of the chain’s Idaho expansion. The location opened July 24, eight days before the shooting.
Police have identified the gunman as 24-year-old Chad Williams, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Investigators believe the shooting was the act of a single person but have not determined what prompted it.
An off-duty Idaho State Police trooper and an armed civilian returned fire during the attack. Authorities said their actions helped draw the gunman away from the restaurant and may have prevented additional casualties.
In addition to the three people killed, seven others were wounded. Two of the wounded were treated at a hospital and released, three were listed as stable and two others were in critical condition, police said Sunday.
A candlelight vigil was planned Tuesday night at Twin Falls City Park. Police also opened a support center where people could receive assistance and retrieve personal belongings left at the scene.
At the request of the Twin Falls City Council and city manager, flags at city facilities were lowered to half-staff Tuesday in remembrance of the victims, according to a city news release. They will remain lowered through dusk Monday, Aug. 10.