SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Tragedy struck at a “No Kings” rally in Salt Lake City on Saturday night when an innocent bystander was fatally shot during a confrontation between peacekeepers and a man allegedly armed with an AR-15-style rifle.
The incident occurred just before 8 p.m., sending shockwaves through a crowd of about 10,000 protesters gathered downtown to protest President Trump’s military parade and his policies.
The Shooting Incident
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, gunfire erupted in the midst of the rally, prompting panicked demonstrators to flee into nearby parking garages and businesses for safety.
Officers quickly responded and found 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who had been shot. Despite the efforts of first responders, Ah Loo died from his injuries.
The Suspect and the Peacekeepers’ Response
Witnesses directed officers to a man dressed in black and wearing a mask, identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was found crouching behind a wall among the protesters and suffering from a gunshot wound. Nearby, officers discovered an AR-15-style rifle that Gamboa had allegedly been carrying.
Peacekeepers, who were part of the event’s security team, later explained that they had observed Gamboa moving suspiciously away from the crowd and behind a wall.
The peacekeepers saw him pull a rifle from his backpack, prompting them to order him to drop the weapon. Instead, Gamboa allegedly began running toward the crowd, holding the rifle in a firing position.
At that point, one of the peacekeepers fired three shots, hitting Gamboa and, tragically, Ah Loo, the innocent bystander. Authorities later confirmed that Gamboa did not fire his weapon during the incident.
Charges and Investigation
Gamboa is now facing a murder charge for the death of Ah Loo. Authorities stated that Gamboa’s actions “showed a depraved indifference to human life” and created “a grave risk of death” that ultimately led to the loss of the innocent victim’s life.
Detectives are still working to fully understand the motives behind Gamboa’s actions, particularly why he pulled out his rifle and began manipulating it in the midst of a protest.
Chief Brian Redd assured the public that investigators are committed to thoroughly examining the incident, emphasizing that the act should not create fear in the community.
“We will not allow this individual act to create fear in our community,” Redd said.
Community Reaction and Continued Investigation
The incident has left the local community shaken, with residents and participants in the protest expressing their shock over the tragic turn of events.
The Salt Lake City Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
What started as a peaceful protest against President Trump’s policies ended in a tragic shooting that claimed the life of an innocent bystander. Authorities are now working diligently to understand the full scope of the situation, and Arturo Gamboa faces serious charges in the wake of the incident.
