The Twin Falls Police Department has urged the public to stop spreading false claims identifying Amer Mandzic as the suspect in the recent shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho. Authorities said social media posts circulating on platforms such as X have incorrectly named Mandzic as the gunman, prompting the department to issue a public clarification and warn against the continued spread of misinformation. Police also noted that the false allegations have resulted in threats and harassment directed at Mandzic.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Twin Falls Police Department said its investigation had conclusively determined that Mandzic had no involvement in the incident. "The Twin Falls Police Department is aware of continued social media posts and reports incorrectly identifying Amer Mandzic as being involved in yesterday's In-N-Out incident," the department said. It added that Police Chief Matthew Hicks had already clarified during a press briefing that Mandzic was not connected to the shooting and urged the public and media to rely only on official updates released by investigators.

Authorities identified the actual gunman as Chad Williams, 24, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the shooting. Police Chief Matthew Hicks confirmed the identity of the suspect during a press conference held on Sunday, August 2, and said the findings were based on the department's investigation. Officials reiterated that Mandzic was never considered the shooter and that online claims suggesting otherwise are entirely false.

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The police statement came after photographs of Mandzic and posts falsely linking him to the shooting spread rapidly across social media. Officials warned that sharing unverified information during active investigations can cause serious harm to innocent individuals and their families. The department said the continued circulation of false allegations had led to harassment and threats against Mandzic, underscoring the real-world consequences of online misinformation.

Police appealed to the public and news organisations to refer only to official press releases and verified statements when reporting on the incident. Investigators emphasised that speculation and the misidentification of individuals can obstruct investigations and unfairly damage reputations. The department reiterated that all confirmed details regarding the shooting have been released through official channels and asked users to avoid amplifying inaccurate claims on social media.

The incident highlights the growing challenge law enforcement agencies face in combating misinformation during high-profile criminal investigations. False identifications can spread rapidly online before official information becomes available, exposing innocent people to abuse, intimidation, and reputational harm. Authorities have once again reminded the public to verify information through credible sources before sharing it, stressing that accuracy is essential to protecting both ongoing investigations and those wrongly caught up in viral rumours.

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