Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old demonstrator at Salt Lake City’s “No Kings” protest, tragically died after being shot by Arturo Gamboa, a man who was part of the event’s peacekeeping team. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd clarified that Ah Loo was an innocent bystander and not the intended target. Gamboa, 24, was taken into custody on a murder charge after the incident.
The chaotic scene unfolded when Gamboa, wearing a brightly colored vest, fired three shots at the crowd, injuring himself but fatally shooting Ah Loo. Witnesses reported seeing Gamboa retrieve a rifle and confront peacekeepers before aiming towards the crowd, prompting one of the peacekeepers to fire in self-defense.
The protests, part of a nationwide movement against what organizers described as Donald Trump’s authoritarianism, led to a tragic outcome in Utah. While the 50501 movement, which helped organize the protests, condemned the violence, questions arose about the peacekeeping team’s role, including their affiliation, volunteer status, and training.
Police recovered an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack at the scene, further adding to the complexity of the investigation. The incident underscores the tense and dangerous nature of protests, emphasizing the need for thorough planning and coordination to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
