08/04/2026
The recent shooting at the In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho was a tragedy that serves as yet another reminder of how quickly violent incidents can unfold. One moment, people were simply waiting in the drive-thru for lunch. Seconds later, they were confronted with gunfire. In situations like these, the decisions made in the first few seconds can make all the difference.
According to witness accounts, many people initially heard what sounded like "pop, pop, pop," but they assumed the commotion was something much less serious, possibly even a simple kitchen fire. This reaction reflects a common human response known as denial – the tendency to interpret unexpected events as something familiar rather than immediately recognizing a dangerous situation. Many people instinctively think, "that couldn't happen here” while refusing to acknowledge the reality of what’s happening.
Among the bystanders were Jordan Salinas, a private citizen, and an off-duty Idaho State Trooper. Salinas had previously been at the Boise Towne Square Mall during the 2021 shooting. That experience motivated him to learn how to effectively use a firearm, and he committed himself to regular training over the next five years.
When the shooting began in Twin Falls, Salinas later described relying on his training to quickly assess the situation. His recalled the principles of his training: Observe – Orient – Decide – Act (OODA) Loop, a decision-making model widely taught in military and law enforcement training. By rapidly processing what was happening and responding decisively, Salinas undoubtably saved numerous lives.
Salinas is neither a law enforcement officer nor a military veteran. He is a healthcare worker and the full-time caregiver for his wheelchair-bound brother. He didn't wait for someone else to tell him what to do, or assume someone else would stop the threat. Instead, he relied on his prior preparation and training for an event he hoped would never happen. As Salinas would later state, the attacker "did not like it when bullets started firing both ways."
According to eyewitness reports, the shooter's attention quickly shifted away from those inside the restaurant toward Salinas and the trooper before the incident came to an end.
Unfortunately, these senseless acts of targeted violence are occurring with increasing frequency. Hardly a week passes without another headline about a shooting somewhere in the country.
These types of events raise an important question: How would you respond?
The reality is that YOU are the real first responder! Even with an almost immediate law enforcement response, the first critical moments belong to the people already on scene. Under acute stress, your judgment, decision-making, perception, and even your physical abilities can be significantly affected. Without preparation, many people freeze, hesitate, or struggle to process the simplest of tasks. In fact, many can even forget their own name due to the effects of acute stress.
At Oracle Security Consultants, our training addresses these realities. We explain how acute stress affects the mind and body and, more importantly, teach practical strategies to help people manage those natural physical and physiological responses. Understanding how your body reacts under extreme acute stress, and learning techniques to work through those reactions, can help you think more clearly, make better decisions, and respond more effectively when every second counts.
The world can be unpredictable, but you have more control than you might think. Protecting yourself, your family, and your business starts with preparation, not panic. Invest in the knowledge, planning, and preparation to help keep you safe in an unsafe world.
Your safety is your responsibility. Make it a priority!
Oracle Security Consultants specializes in providing expert training in Active Shooter Preparedness and Response, as well as conducting professional physical security assessments. With decades of real-world experience, training, and instruction, Oracle Security Consultants is uniquely qualified to p...
