TEMPE, Ariz. — A fight outside an In-N-Out restaurant in Tempe escalated into a gun incident early Sunday morning, leaving one man hospitalized with injuries from bullet fragments, according to the Tempe Police Department. The man was later released from the hospital, while the person who had the gun fled the scene.
The incident happened shortly after midnight on September 20, 2026, at the In-N-Out near South Calle Los Cerros and West Baseline Road, just east of 48th Street.
Police said a group of men became involved in a fight before one person pulled out a firearm. A struggle over the weapon followed, and the gun discharged during the confrontation.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not publicly identified the injured man or the suspect.
What Happened at the Tempe In-N-Out?
According to police, the incident began as a physical altercation involving several men outside the restaurant.
During the fight, one man produced a firearm. The weapon became the focus of a struggle between the people involved, and it discharged during that struggle.
One man was struck by bullet fragments and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities later confirmed that he was released several hours afterward.
The incident did not result in a confirmed fatality.
Where Did the In-N-Out Shooting Happen?
The incident occurred at the In-N-Out restaurant near South Calle Los Cerros Drive and West Baseline Road in Tempe.
The restaurant is in the area east of 48th Street and is part of a busy commercial area of the city.
The specific location is important because initial descriptions of a shooting at an In-N-Out could otherwise be confused with other incidents at different Tempe restaurants.
The reported September 20 incident occurred at the location near Baseline Road and Calle Los Cerros.
One Man Injured by Bullet Fragments
The injured person was not reported to have been struck directly by a bullet.
Instead, police said he suffered injuries from bullet fragments when the firearm discharged during the struggle.
He was transported to a hospital for treatment and was later released.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed his identity or provided extensive details about the nature or severity of his injuries.
Suspect Fled the Scene
The person who had the firearm left the area before police arrived.
Authorities are continuing to investigate and work to identify and locate that individual.
At the time of the latest reports reviewed, police had not publicly announced an arrest or released identifying information about the suspect.
The circumstances that led to the original fight also have not been disclosed.
Tempe Police Investigation Continues
The Tempe Police Department remains responsible for investigating the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine what led to the confrontation, identify the people involved, determine how the firearm discharged and establish whether additional charges are warranted.
Because the investigation remains ongoing, details circulating through social media should be treated cautiously.
Police have not publicly established what caused the fight or provided a complete account of what happened immediately before the firearm was produced.
Was Anyone Killed in the Tempe In-N-Out Shooting?
No fatality has been reported in connection with this incident.
The available police information indicates that one man suffered injuries from bullet fragments and was transported to a hospital. He was subsequently released.
The incident should therefore not be described as a fatal shooting.
Was the Suspect Arrested?
At the time of the latest available reporting, no arrest had been publicly announced.
Police said the person who had the gun fled the scene and that investigators were working to identify and locate the suspect.
Additional information could be released as detectives continue their investigation.
A Separate Tempe In-N-Out Fight
The September 20 incident is not the only recent disturbance associated with an In-N-Out location in Tempe.
FOX 10 reported that another fight occurred at a different Tempe In-N-Out near Rural Road and Playa del Norte Drive in July. In that earlier incident, people reportedly fled before officers arrived.
That was a separate event and should not be confused with the September 20 firearm incident near Baseline Road and Calle Los Cerros.
What Drivers and Customers Should Know
People visiting businesses in the area should follow instructions from police and emergency personnel during any active incident.
If an emergency is occurring, people should:
- Move away from the immediate danger area.
- Follow police instructions.
- Avoid interfering with emergency responders.
- Avoid spreading unverified information about suspects or victims.
- Call 911 when immediate emergency assistance is required.
Businesses and customers may also experience temporary disruption while police investigate and secure an area.
Tempe In-N-Out Shooting: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | In-N-Out near South Calle Los Cerros and West Baseline Road, Tempe |
| Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Time | Shortly after midnight |
| Incident | Fight followed by firearm discharge |
| People involved | Group of men |
| Injured | One man |
| Injury | Bullet fragments |
| Hospitalization | Yes |
| Hospital outcome | Victim later released |
| Suspect | Fled the scene |
| Arrest | None publicly announced in reports reviewed |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Investigation | Tempe Police Department |
Final Update on the In-N-Out Shooting in Tempe
The reported In-N-Out shooting in Tempe occurred shortly after midnight on September 20 after a fight involving several men escalated when one person produced a gun.
Police said a struggle over the firearm followed, and the weapon discharged. One man suffered injuries from bullet fragments and was taken to a hospital before being released several hours later. The person who had the gun fled the scene.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim or suspect, and no arrest had been announced in the latest reports reviewed.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident should provide it directly to Tempe police rather than relying on unverified social-media reports.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by the Tempe Police Department and current local reporting. Details about the people involved, the circumstances of the fight and any potential charges may change as the investigation continues.