Man dies after being shot in chaotic scene at Salt Lake City's ‘No Kings' protest
Lisa Anger, left, and Amber Ponder hug near the scene where a man was shot during the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
A 39-year-old man died Saturday night after being shot during Salt Lake City's 'No Kings' protest while a crowd of about 10,000 people marched near 151 S. State Street, the Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed Sunday.
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a Utah resident, was shot at the demonstration. Despite life-saving efforts from SWAT medics and Salt Lake City Fire, Ah Loo died at an area hospital.
As of Sunday morning there were still unreleased details about the incident as the investigation is ongoing, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a news conference.
A chaotic scene ensued after two armed men in high visibility vests, who Redd described as 'possibly part of the event's peacekeeping team' saw 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa separating from the crowd, moving behind a wall, pulling out a rifle and starting to manipulate it.
'Gamboa was then confronted by these two men, witnesses say. Gamboa raised the weapon in a firing position and began running toward the crowd,' Redd said on Sunday. 'One of the individuals fired three rounds, striking Gamboa, and tragically striking the man who later died.'
The preliminary police investigation found that the victim was not the intended target, 'but rather an innocent bystander participating in the demonstration,' Redd said. Gamboa also sustained a minor gunshot wound in the confrontation.
As the scene unfolded, a bystander took a backpack from Gamboa that contained an AR-15 style rifle and a gas mask, Redd said.
Gamboa's motivations for being at the protest are still unclear, and there is no indication that others were working with him, Redd said.
Detectives booked Gamboa into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of murder, police said in a release.
Gamboa has no criminal history, police said. Jail documents state he is being held without bail.
Police had not taken any action against the two peacekeeping members as of Sunday, Redd said. The man who fired the shots is cooperating with police.
2 people shot, including suspect in custody, during 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, Utah
The scene was chaotic and unfolded very quickly, Redd said, but many people assisted the officers.
'The crowd actually pointed him out to law enforcement, and their actions were heroic,' Redd said.
In a Facebook post Sunday morning, Utah 50501 — the group that organized Saturday's protest — said it is currently working with police.
'Our team was directly involved. We have been in direct contact with law enforcement,' the Facebook post read. 'Some of you seem to think a keyboard and social media give you a free pass to be nasty and accusatory. Our teams just had to deal with something extremely traumatizing and when faced with personal risk to their own lives, chose to run towards the danger in order to serve this community.'
The group said it's working to set up a vigil for the victim.
'We respectfully ask to refrain from speculation about the alleged shooter's motives and identity — that information will come out soon enough. It is better to wait for the facts, even though it is difficult given the emotional and charged nature of this incident,' the group said in a separate Facebook post Sunday morning. 'This was a horrific moment of violence in a historic day full of thousands of Utahns exercising their right to protest. Nothing will ever change the undeniable strength of our community.'
Before the news of Ah Loo's death went public, Salt Lake City Democrats Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost and Sen. Jen Plumb, who represent downtown communities in the Legislature, issued a statement expressing 'distress, dismay and sorrow' about the Saturday shooting in Salt Lake City and the assassination of the Minnesota House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman.
The Democrats said that these are 'stark examples of the current crisis of our nation's integrity.'
'As many have stated, violence has no place here,' the lawmakers wrote in a joint statement. 'We would argue more strongly, however, that every elected official must actively partake in changing the horrific rhetoric and divisiveness that drives public discourse in our society today; rhetoric that is supported and perpetuated by many in our state and nation's top leadership positions.'
Simple remarks, the lawmakers said, will not suffice as a response.
Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, extended condolences to Ah Loo's family in a social media post, describing the incident as 'a heartbreaking situation.'
'My thoughts are with everyone affected,' Adams wrote. 'I also want to express my gratitude to all the security officers whose quick response helped prevent a mass casualty. In difficult moments like this, we must come together with shared compassion and a commitment to unity.'
Contributing: Kyle Dunphey
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'The state is continuing its review of evidence as it becomes available while Mr. Gamboa is released with stipulated conditions agreed to through his attorney, Greg Skordas.' Upon his release from jail, Gamboa will have to check in with Pretrial Services, provide an address where he will be staying and can be contacted, not possess any firearms and surrender his passport. One week ago, as an estimated 10,000 people were marching on State Street, two men who police say described themselves as part of the 'peacekeeping' group for the rally spotted Gamboa near 151 S. State. One of the men says he watched Gamboa move away from the main crowd to a secluded area behind a wall. 'The peacekeepers found this behavior to be suspicious and kept Arturo in view. One of the peacekeepers observed Arturo remove an AR-15 style rifle from a backpack he was carrying. He observed Arturo begin to manipulate the rifle, and they called out to him to drop the gun after drawing their own firearms. Arturo then lifted the rifle, and according to witnesses he began to run toward the large crowd gathered on State Street holding the rifle in a firing position,' a police booking affidavit states. Police say Gamboa did not fire a shot during the confrontation with rally volunteers. But one of those two men who confronted him fired three rounds from his own handgun and hit and injured Gamboa, and also hit and killed an innocent bystander, 39-year-old Arthur Folasa 'Afa' Ah Loo. Gamboa was arrested for investigation of murder. 'There is no substantial evidence to support Mr. Gamboa's murder charge as Mr. Gamboa did not commit murder,' states Skordas' motion to have his client released from custody. 'As previously discussed, there is ample information already made public that did not show Mr. Gamboa pointing his rifle at anyone, but only showed other individuals firing guns at Mr. Gamboa. The guilty verdict, therefore, cannot be made beyond a reasonable doubt, and bail should not be denied to Mr. Gamboa.' On the platform money is being raised for the Gamboa Legal Fund*. It was not immediately clear who the organizers of the money-raising effort are, but the group — prior to Friday's announcement — was also calling for his release from jail. 'They are holding him regardless of the fact that his weapon was never fired, his gun barrel was never pointed anywhere but the ground, and the bullet that tragically caused the death of Ah Loo was fired from the gun held by hired 'peacekeeper,'' the fundraiser states. 'Open-carrying is a common practice for Arturo. He has done so at several protests in the past without conflict, and when asked to protest without any weapons, he has respected that request because at his core, all he cares about was being present to support the causes he believes in. 'There are multiple eyewitness and video accounts showing that he was not instigating, simply walking peacefully alongside the protest,' the fundraiser says. 'Although bringing a weapon to a peaceful protest is a questionable decision, that decision was a completely legal choice and should not permanently change the course of his life.' On Thursday, organizers of the national 50501 Movement announced it is "no longer affiliated" with the Utah 50501 Movement, which organized last weekend's rally in Salt Lake City. It noted, 'The presence of weapons and any action that endangers lives stands in direct opposition to the values we uphold. We feel deep anguish that harm unfolded in a space connected to our name and vision.' In the defense motion to have Gamboa released, Skordas said, 'Gamboa has no criminal record and is not a flight risk. He is 24 years old and resides with his parents. He has no means by which to flee the jurisdiction and has no reason to flee. He lawfully possessed the firearm. He was not intoxicated or under the influence. Gamboa's firearm was unloaded. The 'peacekeeper' who shot and wounded Gamboa and killed the protester was not arrested or charged.' Although the so-called 'peacekeepers' were not arrested, police say their actions are being investigated and will be reviewed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office for potential criminal charges. Friday afternoon, the Salt Lake City Police Department issued a brief statement and asked for anyone with video from the incident or information to contact them. 'The Salt Lake City Police Department urges anyone with information about this case, including video, to come forward. Digital evidence can be submitted directly through the SLCPD public evidence portal. If you need to speak with an officer, please call 801-799-3000. The Salt Lake City Police Department is actively investigating and coordinating with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office. We recognize and appreciate the extensive work our detectives have dedicated to this case.' The fundraiser describes Gamboa as a 'gentle giant' who attended the protest 'because he truly believes in the power of people to change the world. He is an active participant in the local political space and has been for many years.' * does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
