TWIN FALLS — For nearly two weeks, the name of one of the heroes of the Twin Falls In-N-Out Burger mass shooting was a mystery.

On Tuesday the Idaho State Police identified the off-duty trooper who confronted the gunman during the Aug. 1 shooting as Specialist Steve McClain, a 12-year veteran of the force and a member of the Twin Falls community.

State police said McClain’s identity had been withheld at the request of the Twin Falls County Prosecutor’s Office while investigators completed their review and determined that releasing his name would not affect the ongoing investigation. McClain is assigned to the Idaho State Police Commercial Vehicle Safety program.

In a statement released Tuesday, Idaho State Police Director Col. Bill Gardiner described the moment McClain made the decision to act.

“Although off-duty, Specialist McClain made the conscious decision to confront the threat in an effort to protect others,” Gardiner said. “Years of training, experience, discipline, and commitment were compressed into a matter of seconds. Faced with an active threat, he willingly put himself in harm’s way to protect others. In doing so, he undoubtedly helped save lives.”

The 24-year-old gunman, Chad Williams of Twin Falls, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing three people and wounding seven others during the mass shooting.

McClain confronted the gunman in the drive-thru area of the restaurant and returned fire, causing the shooter to flee. Kimberly resident Jordan Salinas has previously been identified as the other individual who returned fire during the mass shooting. Together McClain and Salinas have been widely credited with disrupting Williams’ attack on the restaurant and preventing further loss of life.

Gardiner said McClain’s response to the deadly situation was the product of years of preparation most people never see.

“The public often sees only a single point in time, but moments such as these are built on years of preparation and a commitment to serving others,” Gardiner said. “On Aug. 1, Specialist McClain demonstrated exactly what that commitment looks like.”

Gardiner also credited the broader response from the community that day.

“Countless ordinary people made extraordinary decisions that day,” he said. “We recognize the courage shown by those who rendered aid, protected others, and responded in the face of unimaginable circumstances.”

McClain, in his own statement, turned attention away from himself and toward the victims and others who stepped in to help.

“My heart remains with the victims, their families, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives have been changed by this tragedy,” McClain said. “Like many others who were there that day, I simply did what I believed needed to be done. Many people stepped forward to help complete strangers, often at great personal risk, and I am grateful for their courage and compassion.”

He credited his training for preparing him for a moment no one hopes to face.

“I am thankful for the training I have received throughout my career that prepared me for this horrific incident,” McClain said. “I am proud to serve alongside the men and women of the Idaho State Police, as well as those with the Twin Falls Police Department and other members of our law enforcement community. I pray that the community can continue to heal and be strengthened through one another. Twin Falls Strong!”

State police asked that the privacy of the victims, their families, McClain and everyone affected by the shooting continue to be respected as the investigation moves forward.

State police said they will continue supporting local, state and federal partners investigating the shooting as well as the broader Twin Falls community “in the days, weeks and months ahead.”