Protester killed at 'No Kings' protest was fashion designer who appeared on Project Runway
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Trump issues warning to evacuate Iran's biggest city Ah Loo, who went by the name Afa, was also a co-founder of the nonprofit Creative Pacific. An innocent bystander at a "No Kings" protest in Utah was shot and killed by a "peacekeeper" who was aiming for a different man pointing an AR-15-style rifle toward the crowd, witnesses told Salt Lake City police. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was fatally wounded Saturday evening, police said. He was a husband, a father and a renowned fashion designer, according to a GoFundMe page established to help his widow Laura and their two children. Afa Ah Loo appeared in Season 17 of the fashion design reality show Project Runway. (Getty Images via CNN) He was among 10,000 protesters who packed downtown Salt Lake City for a "No Kings" protest – one of 2000 events nationwide denouncing the Trump administration. While authorities have not released details about the peacekeeper who shot Ah Loo, the man who was spotted carrying the rifle was arrested on suspicion of murder. "The preliminary investigation shows Ah Loo was participating in the demonstration and appears to have been an innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire," Salt Lake City police said. Gunfire erupted around 7.56pm local time. "As panic spread throughout the area, hundreds of people ran for safety, hiding in parking garages, behind barriers, and going into nearby businesses," police said. Officers then found Ah Loo, who was gravely wounded and later died from his injuries. Moments later, police were flagged down nearby and "found a man crouching among a group of people with a gunshot wound," police said. The man, later identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, was dressed in all black with a black mask. "As officers approached, community members pointed out a nearby firearm, which was described as an AR-15-style rifle. Officers also located a gas mask, black clothing, and a backpack in close proximity." Witnesses reported the man had been wielding the rifle in a firing position and running toward the protesters, police said. Gamboa drew the attention of two peacekeepers "who were wearing high-visibility neon green vests and carrying handguns," and one of them "fired three rounds," Salt Lake City police said. "One round struck Gamboa, while another tragically wounded Mr Ah Loo." Salt Lake City police said Monday the peacekeepers were not "overseen, sanctioned, or trained" by the department and neither of the men are current or former law enforcement officers. Demonstrators denounced the Trump administration at a "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City - one of 2,000 similar events in cities across the country June 13. (AP via CNN) Gamboa was taken to a hospital and later booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail "on a charge of murder," police said Sunday. It is not immediately clear if Gamboa has an attorney. "Detectives have developed probable cause that Gamboa acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member." But on Monday morning, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office told CNN no charges had been finalised in the case. The DA's office said the case was still in the hands of the police department. "As this continues to be an active investigation, any comment at this time would be inappropriate," Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement. CNN asked Salt Lake City police Monday for more details about Gamboa's potential murder charge and whether the person who shot Ah Loo might also face charges. "Detectives are still actively investigating this case, to include the actions of the peacekeepers," Salt Lake City police wrote. "Detectives have not been able to determine, at this time, why Gamboa pulled out his rifle and began to manipulate it or why he ran from the peacekeepers when they confronted him." The two peacekeepers, who have not been identified, were detained and interviewed, police said. "From the department's standpoint, these persons are considered members of the public, subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other person in Utah," police said in a Monday statement. The police department also said it was unclear whether they were hired or volunteered for the event, "or acted on their own initiative," and a permit for the protest did not details plans to have organised or armed security. "The Salt Lake City Police Department does not direct or manage security roles and responsibilities unless that requirement is outlined in the event's approved permit, of which it was not," police added. Volunteer peacekeeping teams are common for protests, a national grassroots organisation told The Associated Press. Typically, organisers ask attendees – including the peacekeepers – to not bring any weapons, said Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501 Movement, a partner in the "No Kings" protest. But the Salt Lake City peacekeepers likely stopped what could have been a much larger tragedy, Parker told the AP. "Our safety team did as best as they could in a situation that is extremely sad and extremely scary," she said. World
USA
Protests
police
Donald Trump
US POLITICS CONTACT US
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
9 News
a day ago
- 9 News
The US can end Iran conflict with one call, Iranian official says
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Diplomacy with Iran can "easily" be started again if US President Donald Trump orders Israel's leadership to stop its strikes on Iran, Majid Farahani, an official with the Iranian presidency, told CNN on Friday. "Iran believes in civilian dialogue," he said. "Directly or indirectly is not important." "President Trump can easily stop the war by only one telephone (call) to (the) Israelis," he said, repeating the Iranian position that talks were impossible while Israeli bombs were striking Iran. Majid Farahani speaks during an interview in Tehran, Iran, on Friday. (CNN) Farahani said that Iran would not countenance halting nuclear enrichment – which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes - but added that concessions were possible. "Maybe it can be lower but we don't stop it," he said. In recent days, European powers have joined American and Israeli calls for a ban on enrichment, hardening their positions on the key issue, with France putting forward "a clear position on zero enrichment," France's foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine told CNN Friday. Iran says it needs enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, while also manufacturing large quantities of near-weapons-grade material. Trump's decision to open a two-week negotiating window before deciding on striking Iran has offered a slim – if improbable – path to a peace deal between Iran and Israel. Demonstrators in Tehran, Iran, on Friday. (CNN) Talks took place in Geneva on Friday between the foreign ministers from Iran, Britain, France, and Germany, along with the European Union's foreign policy chief, the first confirmed face-to-face meeting of its kind since the conflict began. After days of increasingly aggressive messages from the Trump administration, it has opened the possibility that military action can be averted. Indeed, Trump's own camp appears to be starkly divided on whether to pursue direct strikes against Iran. "If America gets involved in the war," Farahani said, "there are so many options and all (of) those options are on the table." Pro-government protests on Friday on the streets of Tehran saw an outpouring of anger at both Israel and the United States. A CNN team in Tehran witnessed massive crowds, with protesters waving Iranian, Hezbollah and Palestinian flags and burning US and Israeli flags. Chants of "death to Israel, death to America" – a staple at such events – rang out, while Iranians spoke of their fury at the bombing campaign. "Trump, you are threatening my leader," one woman told CNN, "Don't you know that my nation believes death is sweeter than honey?" World Iran Israel Israel Iran Conflict USA Donald Trump CONTACT US
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Europe to tell Iran that US open to direct talks
European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart that the US is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity, diplomats say before a meeting in Geneva. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would be told that Iran must send a "clear signal", two diplomats told Reuters, with pressure mounting on Tehran to agree tough curbs on its nuclear program to prevent the potential development of an atomic weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to several Western counterparts before the meeting in Switzerland, the diplomats said, indicating readiness to engage directly with Tehran. Washington did not confirm that though broadcaster CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supported diplomacy from allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not talk to the Trump administration until Israeli attacks end. The ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief, were meeting separately on Friday before planned face-to-face talks with Araqchi. "The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can," a European diplomat said. "We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens." The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015. Separate talks between Iran and the US collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. "There is no room for negotiations with the US until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday. The E3 have in past talks with Iran suggested it keep some uranium enrichment but accept extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities. Trump has demanded zero enrichment and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to echo that call on Friday, saying any new deal needed to go towards zero enrichment for Iran. The main message Europeans will pass to Araqchi is that the US has signalled readiness for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, the two European diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. While diplomats did not expect a breakthrough in Geneva, they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped the nuclear issue would remain unresolved given that Tehran would still retain the scientific know-how. Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart that the US is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity, diplomats say before a meeting in Geneva. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would be told that Iran must send a "clear signal", two diplomats told Reuters, with pressure mounting on Tehran to agree tough curbs on its nuclear program to prevent the potential development of an atomic weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to several Western counterparts before the meeting in Switzerland, the diplomats said, indicating readiness to engage directly with Tehran. Washington did not confirm that though broadcaster CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supported diplomacy from allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not talk to the Trump administration until Israeli attacks end. The ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief, were meeting separately on Friday before planned face-to-face talks with Araqchi. "The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can," a European diplomat said. "We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens." The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015. Separate talks between Iran and the US collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. "There is no room for negotiations with the US until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday. The E3 have in past talks with Iran suggested it keep some uranium enrichment but accept extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities. Trump has demanded zero enrichment and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to echo that call on Friday, saying any new deal needed to go towards zero enrichment for Iran. The main message Europeans will pass to Araqchi is that the US has signalled readiness for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, the two European diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. While diplomats did not expect a breakthrough in Geneva, they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped the nuclear issue would remain unresolved given that Tehran would still retain the scientific know-how. Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart that the US is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity, diplomats say before a meeting in Geneva. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would be told that Iran must send a "clear signal", two diplomats told Reuters, with pressure mounting on Tehran to agree tough curbs on its nuclear program to prevent the potential development of an atomic weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to several Western counterparts before the meeting in Switzerland, the diplomats said, indicating readiness to engage directly with Tehran. Washington did not confirm that though broadcaster CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supported diplomacy from allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not talk to the Trump administration until Israeli attacks end. The ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief, were meeting separately on Friday before planned face-to-face talks with Araqchi. "The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can," a European diplomat said. "We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens." The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015. Separate talks between Iran and the US collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. "There is no room for negotiations with the US until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday. The E3 have in past talks with Iran suggested it keep some uranium enrichment but accept extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities. Trump has demanded zero enrichment and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to echo that call on Friday, saying any new deal needed to go towards zero enrichment for Iran. The main message Europeans will pass to Araqchi is that the US has signalled readiness for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, the two European diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. While diplomats did not expect a breakthrough in Geneva, they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped the nuclear issue would remain unresolved given that Tehran would still retain the scientific know-how. Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart that the US is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity, diplomats say before a meeting in Geneva. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would be told that Iran must send a "clear signal", two diplomats told Reuters, with pressure mounting on Tehran to agree tough curbs on its nuclear program to prevent the potential development of an atomic weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to several Western counterparts before the meeting in Switzerland, the diplomats said, indicating readiness to engage directly with Tehran. Washington did not confirm that though broadcaster CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supported diplomacy from allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not talk to the Trump administration until Israeli attacks end. The ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief, were meeting separately on Friday before planned face-to-face talks with Araqchi. "The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can," a European diplomat said. "We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens." The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015. Separate talks between Iran and the US collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. "There is no room for negotiations with the US until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday. The E3 have in past talks with Iran suggested it keep some uranium enrichment but accept extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities. Trump has demanded zero enrichment and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to echo that call on Friday, saying any new deal needed to go towards zero enrichment for Iran. The main message Europeans will pass to Araqchi is that the US has signalled readiness for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, the two European diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. While diplomats did not expect a breakthrough in Geneva, they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped the nuclear issue would remain unresolved given that Tehran would still retain the scientific know-how. Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant is 'normal'
The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, was "normal" and under control, Russia's nuclear energy chief says. The Israeli military said at one point on Thursday that it had struck the Russian-built Bushehr facility, but later said the comment had been made by mistake. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, said on Thursday that any attack on the plant could cause a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk. Asked on Friday about the situation at Bushehr, Likhachev told reporters: "So far the situation is completely under control, everything is normal. "The night passed in the usual anxious but manageable atmosphere. "We continue to work in pre-mobilisation mode and very much hope that all our signals from yesterday reached the Israeli leadership." The "pre-mobilisation" comment appeared to refer to the possibility of evacuating staff in the event of an emergency. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had up to 600 staff at Bushehr, including 250 permanent workers and others on temporary assignment. He said Israel had issued a promise to Russia over their safety. Likhachev said on Thursday that some of those on assignment had been evacuated but the core staff remained for now. Russia, which has close ties with Iran, has warned strongly against US military intervention on the side of Israel in the air war that began a week ago. Israel has stated that it launched strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies such an intention, has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities. The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, was "normal" and under control, Russia's nuclear energy chief says. The Israeli military said at one point on Thursday that it had struck the Russian-built Bushehr facility, but later said the comment had been made by mistake. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, said on Thursday that any attack on the plant could cause a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk. Asked on Friday about the situation at Bushehr, Likhachev told reporters: "So far the situation is completely under control, everything is normal. "The night passed in the usual anxious but manageable atmosphere. "We continue to work in pre-mobilisation mode and very much hope that all our signals from yesterday reached the Israeli leadership." The "pre-mobilisation" comment appeared to refer to the possibility of evacuating staff in the event of an emergency. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had up to 600 staff at Bushehr, including 250 permanent workers and others on temporary assignment. He said Israel had issued a promise to Russia over their safety. Likhachev said on Thursday that some of those on assignment had been evacuated but the core staff remained for now. Russia, which has close ties with Iran, has warned strongly against US military intervention on the side of Israel in the air war that began a week ago. Israel has stated that it launched strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies such an intention, has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities. The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, was "normal" and under control, Russia's nuclear energy chief says. The Israeli military said at one point on Thursday that it had struck the Russian-built Bushehr facility, but later said the comment had been made by mistake. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, said on Thursday that any attack on the plant could cause a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk. Asked on Friday about the situation at Bushehr, Likhachev told reporters: "So far the situation is completely under control, everything is normal. "The night passed in the usual anxious but manageable atmosphere. "We continue to work in pre-mobilisation mode and very much hope that all our signals from yesterday reached the Israeli leadership." The "pre-mobilisation" comment appeared to refer to the possibility of evacuating staff in the event of an emergency. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had up to 600 staff at Bushehr, including 250 permanent workers and others on temporary assignment. He said Israel had issued a promise to Russia over their safety. Likhachev said on Thursday that some of those on assignment had been evacuated but the core staff remained for now. Russia, which has close ties with Iran, has warned strongly against US military intervention on the side of Israel in the air war that began a week ago. Israel has stated that it launched strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies such an intention, has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities. The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, where hundreds of Russian specialists work, was "normal" and under control, Russia's nuclear energy chief says. The Israeli military said at one point on Thursday that it had struck the Russian-built Bushehr facility, but later said the comment had been made by mistake. Alexei Likhachev, head of Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, said on Thursday that any attack on the plant could cause a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster. Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant and uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent to reduce proliferation risk. Asked on Friday about the situation at Bushehr, Likhachev told reporters: "So far the situation is completely under control, everything is normal. "The night passed in the usual anxious but manageable atmosphere. "We continue to work in pre-mobilisation mode and very much hope that all our signals from yesterday reached the Israeli leadership." The "pre-mobilisation" comment appeared to refer to the possibility of evacuating staff in the event of an emergency. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had up to 600 staff at Bushehr, including 250 permanent workers and others on temporary assignment. He said Israel had issued a promise to Russia over their safety. Likhachev said on Thursday that some of those on assignment had been evacuated but the core staff remained for now. Russia, which has close ties with Iran, has warned strongly against US military intervention on the side of Israel in the air war that began a week ago. Israel has stated that it launched strikes on Iran to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran, which denies such an intention, has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israeli cities.
