During a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, a tragic incident occurred when 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, an innocent bystander and acclaimed fashion designer, was fatally shot. The shooting happened as a peacekeeper aimed at another man armed with an AR-15-style rifle. Ah Loo’s death has left his family mourning, with a GoFundMe page launched to support his widow and children.
The demonstration, attended by around 10,000 individuals protesting against the Trump administration, descended into chaos around 7:56 PM when gunfire erupted. Witnesses described scenes of panic as attendees fled for safety, seeking refuge in nearby businesses and garages. Ah Loo was discovered gravely injured and subsequently succumbed to his wounds.
While specific details about the peacekeeper who fired the shot remain undisclosed, the individual carrying the rifle was apprehended on suspicion of murder. Police indicated that preliminary investigations suggest Ah Loo was an unintended victim amidst the chaos. Witnesses noted that the armed man, now identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, had been brandishing his weapon, prompting the intervention.
In the confusion, Gamboa sustained a gunshot wound from the peacekeeper’s three shots, with one of these bullets tragically hitting Ah Loo. Following the incident, police confirmed that the peacekeepers were untrained and unaffiliated with law enforcement.
Gamboa was taken to the hospital before being booked into jail on murder charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the District Attorney’s office has yet to finalise any charges. Authorities are examining the actions of the peacekeepers involved, whose identities have not been disclosed and who appeared to be operating independently, without sanction from police.
Despite the incident’s tragic nature, some believe that the peacekeepers may have prevented a potentially greater disaster that evening. A national grassroots group involved in the protest highlighted that weapons were generally not permitted during the event, underscoring the unexpected nature of the violence.
The Salt Lake City Police Department maintains that it does not manage security for events unless explicitly outlined in permit applications, which was not the case for this protest. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a talented individual and grapples with the implications of safety and security at public demonstrations.