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a day ago
What to know about the fatal shooting at a Utah 'No Kings' rally
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah investigators sought help from the public as they worked to unravel who was at fault when a safety volunteer at a weekend 'No Kings' rally fired at an alleged gunman and inadvertently hit and killed a protester. The safety volunteer, who has not been identified publicly, fired three rounds at Arturo Gamboa, 24, who had allegedly brandished a rifle at Saturday's crowd in downtown Salt Lake City. The gunshots hit both Gamboa and protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, according to the Salt Lake City police. Gamboa, who did not fire his rifle, was arrested on suspicion of murder, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death, police said. No criminal charges have been filed. A state judge on Thursday granted a request by prosecutors to extend Gamboa's detention without bail until 5 p.m. on Monday, while investigators continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage of the incident, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said. Investigators are also looking into whether the safety volunteer was justified in firing his gun, according to police. Police on Wednesday asked the public for more video footage of events surrounding the shooting. It is unclear what Gamboa intended to do with the rifle. His father Albert Gamboa, reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday, declared his son's innocence in a brief phone call: 'My son, Arturo Gamboa, is an innocent guy. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. 'Inevitably there are going to be instances like this one, which may or may not have been a misunderstanding,' said Timothy Zick, a William & Mary Law School professor who has written about the laws surrounding public protests. "It's hard to sort out who's acting lawfully with a firearm in the middle of an already crowded, sometimes chaotic protest space,' he said. The protest of some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. Here's what is known so far about the shooting: Thousands of protesters were marching through downtown Salt Lake City when, around 8 p.m., the safety volunteer and another man said they spotted Gamboa, who was wearing all black clothing, move behind a wall and withdraw a rifle from a backpack, according to a police news release. The two men drew their handguns and ordered Gamboa to drop the rifle, but witnesses said he instead moved toward the crowd and held his rifle in a 'firing position,' according to police. The safety volunteer shot three rounds, hitting Gamboa and Ah Loo. Ah Loo died after being taken to a hospital. Gamboa's wound was relatively minor, and he was arrested nearby by police, who found a rifle, gas mask and backpack in the area. Police said they do not yet know why Gamboa had the rifle or allegedly disobeyed the orders from the two men. The protest was one of hundreds nationwide Saturday against President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday. The Utah chapter of 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protest, said in a statement Monday that the man who confronted Gamboa was a military veteran and 'safety volunteer' meant to help maintain order. 'Our team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed there was an imminent threat to the protestors and took action,' organizers said. The group did not give further details on the person's training or explain why he was armed. Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protests across the country, said all attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons. It's extremely rare for safety teams, often called safety marshals, to be armed. Instead, they rely on calm demeanor, communication skills and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. 'Arming marshals or peacekeepers is widely discouraged, as it tends to create more problems than it solves," Maguire said. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security, and event staffers' roles were under investigation. Ah Loo was a successful fashion designer and former 'Project Runway' contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands. Benjamin Powell, a friend of Ah Loo's, said the 39-year-old was born in Samoa but lived in Utah for about a decade. Ah Loo, a self-taught designer known to many as Afa, devoted his life to doing 'good things for his neighbors and community,' state Rep. Verona Mauga, a close friend, told the AP. Their families were both from the small village of Lotopa in Samoa, she said. Ah Loo leaves behind a wife and two young children, according to a GoFundMe page for his family. Powell said he and Ah Loo were working on an August fashion show, which Powell said will now honor Ah Loo's unwavering commitment to his community.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about the fatal shooting at a Utah ‘No Kings' rally
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah investigators sought help from the public as they worked to unravel who was at fault when a safety volunteer at a weekend 'No Kings' rally fired at an alleged gunman and inadvertently hit and killed a protester. The safety volunteer, who has not been identified publicly, fired three rounds at Arturo Gamboa, 24, who had allegedly brandished a rifle at Saturday's crowd in downtown Salt Lake City. The gunshots hit both Gamboa and protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, according to the Salt Lake City police. Gamboa, who did not fire his rifle, was arrested on suspicion of murder, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death, police said. No criminal charges have been filed. A state judge on Thursday granted a request by prosecutors to extend Gamboa's detention without bail until 5 p.m. on Monday, while investigators continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage of the incident, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said. Investigators are also looking into whether the safety volunteer was justified in firing his gun, according to police. Police on Wednesday asked the public for more video footage of events surrounding the shooting. It is unclear what Gamboa intended to do with the rifle. His father Albert Gamboa, reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday, declared his son's innocence in a brief phone call: 'My son, Arturo Gamboa, is an innocent guy. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. 'Inevitably there are going to be instances like this one, which may or may not have been a misunderstanding,' said Timothy Zick, a William & Mary Law School professor who has written about the laws surrounding public protests. 'It's hard to sort out who's acting lawfully with a firearm in the middle of an already crowded, sometimes chaotic protest space,' he said. The protest of some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. Here's what is known so far about the shooting: How did it unfold? Thousands of protesters were marching through downtown Salt Lake City when, around 8 p.m., the safety volunteer and another man said they spotted Gamboa, who was wearing all black clothing, move behind a wall and withdraw a rifle from a backpack, according to a police news release. The two men drew their handguns and ordered Gamboa to drop the rifle, but witnesses said he instead moved toward the crowd and held his rifle in a 'firing position,' according to police. The safety volunteer shot three rounds, hitting Gamboa and Ah Loo. Ah Loo died after being taken to a hospital. Gamboa's wound was relatively minor, and he was arrested nearby by police, who found a rifle, gas mask and backpack in the area. Police said they do not yet know why Gamboa had the rifle or allegedly disobeyed the orders from the two men. The protest was one of hundreds nationwide Saturday against President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday. What are safety marshals for demonstrations? The Utah chapter of 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protest, said in a statement Monday that the man who confronted Gamboa was a military veteran and 'safety volunteer' meant to help maintain order. 'Our team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed there was an imminent threat to the protestors and took action,' organizers said. The group did not give further details on the person's training or explain why he was armed. Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protests across the country, said all attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons. It's extremely rare for safety teams, often called safety marshals, to be armed. Instead, they rely on calm demeanor, communication skills and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. 'Arming marshals or peacekeepers is widely discouraged, as it tends to create more problems than it solves,' Maguire said. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security, and event staffers' roles were under investigation. Who was the protester who was killed? Ah Loo was a successful fashion designer and former 'Project Runway' contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands. Benjamin Powell, a friend of Ah Loo's, said the 39-year-old was born in Samoa but lived in Utah for about a decade. Ah Loo, a self-taught designer known to many as Afa, devoted his life to doing 'good things for his neighbors and community,' state Rep. Verona Mauga, a close friend, told the AP. Their families were both from the small village of Lotopa in Samoa, she said. Ah Loo leaves behind a wife and two young children, according to a GoFundMe page for his family. Powell said he and Ah Loo were working on an August fashion show, which Powell said will now honor Ah Loo's unwavering commitment to his community. ___ Bedayn reported from Denver. Associated Press writer Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, contributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about the fatal shooting at a Utah 'No Kings' rally
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah investigators sought help from the public as they worked to unravel who was at fault when a safety volunteer at a weekend 'No Kings' rally fired at an alleged gunman and inadvertently hit and killed a protester. The safety volunteer, who has not been identified publicly, fired three rounds at Arturo Gamboa, 24, who had allegedly brandished a rifle at Saturday's crowd in downtown Salt Lake City. The gunshots hit both Gamboa and protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, according to the Salt Lake City police. Gamboa, who did not fire his rifle, was arrested on suspicion of murder, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death, police said. No criminal charges have been filed. A state judge on Thursday granted a request by prosecutors to extend Gamboa's detention without bail until 5 p.m. on Monday, while investigators continue interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage of the incident, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said. Investigators are also looking into whether the safety volunteer was justified in firing his gun, according to police. Police on Wednesday asked the public for more video footage of events surrounding the shooting. It is unclear what Gamboa intended to do with the rifle. His father Albert Gamboa, reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday, declared his son's innocence in a brief phone call: 'My son, Arturo Gamboa, is an innocent guy. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. 'Inevitably there are going to be instances like this one, which may or may not have been a misunderstanding,' said Timothy Zick, a William & Mary Law School professor who has written about the laws surrounding public protests. "It's hard to sort out who's acting lawfully with a firearm in the middle of an already crowded, sometimes chaotic protest space,' he said. The protest of some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. Here's what is known so far about the shooting: How did it unfold? Thousands of protesters were marching through downtown Salt Lake City when, around 8 p.m., the safety volunteer and another man said they spotted Gamboa, who was wearing all black clothing, move behind a wall and withdraw a rifle from a backpack, according to a police news release. The two men drew their handguns and ordered Gamboa to drop the rifle, but witnesses said he instead moved toward the crowd and held his rifle in a 'firing position,' according to police. The safety volunteer shot three rounds, hitting Gamboa and Ah Loo. Ah Loo died after being taken to a hospital. Gamboa's wound was relatively minor, and he was arrested nearby by police, who found a rifle, gas mask and backpack in the area. Police said they do not yet know why Gamboa had the rifle or allegedly disobeyed the orders from the two men. The protest was one of hundreds nationwide Saturday against President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday. What are safety marshals for demonstrations? The Utah chapter of 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protest, said in a statement Monday that the man who confronted Gamboa was a military veteran and 'safety volunteer' meant to help maintain order. 'Our team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed there was an imminent threat to the protestors and took action,' organizers said. The group did not give further details on the person's training or explain why he was armed. Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501 Movement, which helped organize the 'No Kings' protests across the country, said all attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons. It's extremely rare for safety teams, often called safety marshals, to be armed. Instead, they rely on calm demeanor, communication skills and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. 'Arming marshals or peacekeepers is widely discouraged, as it tends to create more problems than it solves," Maguire said. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security, and event staffers' roles were under investigation. Who was the protester who was killed? Ah Loo was a successful fashion designer and former 'Project Runway' contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands. Benjamin Powell, a friend of Ah Loo's, said the 39-year-old was born in Samoa but lived in Utah for about a decade. Ah Loo, a self-taught designer known to many as Afa, devoted his life to doing 'good things for his neighbors and community,' state Rep. Verona Mauga, a close friend, told the AP. Their families were both from the small village of Lotopa in Samoa, she said. Ah Loo leaves behind a wife and two young children, according to a GoFundMe page for his family.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
8-month-old baby among 3 dead from shooting at West Valley City carnival
Police respond to a shooting at WestFest at Centennial Park in West Valley City on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch) This story has been updated with more information from the West Valley City Police Department. Three people — including an 8-month-old boy — were killed and two teenagers were injured in a shooting late Sunday night at WestFest, a carnival held every year in West Valley City. Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the shooting, according to West Valley City Police Department spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku. She told reporters he's the 'only suspect in this case' as police continue to investigate what happened. The suspect began firing shots after 'two groups of people' seemed to have 'some sort of verbal altercation,' Vainuku said. She noted two of the three dead — the 8-month-old infant and a 41-year-old woman — were bystanders 'not connected to any of the people in either of the groups.' An 18-year-old man was also shot and killed, who 'we believe is connected and was part of the opposing group that the suspect was in,' she said. Monday afternoon, West Valley City police identified two of the people who were killed. The 18-year-old man was Hassan Lugundi, of West Valley, and the 41-year-old woman was Fnu Reena of West Jordan. Police did not identify the 8-month-old boy or the 16-year-old suspect because they are minors. It's too early to say whether the shooting was related to gang violence, Vainuku said, as police are still investigating. However, she told reporters Monday that it appears that Lugundi, the 18-year-old man who was killed, 'appears to have been the suspect's intended target.' The shooting in West Valley City — Utah's second-most-populated city, behind the state's capital of Salt Lake City — comes on the heels of a deadly shooting that occurred during an otherwise peaceful 'No Kings' protest in downtown Salt Lake City. Saturday, one man, 39-year-old bystander Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, was killed, after police say one of two armed men 'possibly part of the event's peacekeeping team' confronted another man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was carrying an AR-15 style rifle. One of the men, reportedly part of the event's security team, fired three shots, grazing Gamboa but also hitting Ah Loo, who was marching with protesters. Ah Loo later died at the hospital, police said. The dust was barely starting to settle from Saturday's tragedy when the shooting at West Valley City broke out Sunday — capping off a chaotic and violent weekend in two separate, crowded public places in Utah. Man dies after being shot in chaotic scene at Salt Lake City's 'No Kings' protest The shooting at WestFest occurred shortly after 9:20 p.m., Vainuku said, after officers who were working at the carnival spotted 'two groups of people who seemed to be having some sort of a verbal altercation.' 'The officers approached these two groups in order to kind of break things up and calm things down,' she said. As the officers neared, they saw the suspect pull out a gun and start firing it at the other group. She said one of the officers fired a single round toward the suspect, but didn't hit him or any of the victims. However, 'they were able to very quickly take the suspect into custody.' Of the five people who were hit, two were injured by gunshot wounds to their arms, according to West Valley City police. One was a 17-year-old girl; the other was a 15-year-old boy. 'They don't appear to have any involvement with the suspect, but also just happened to be in that line of fire,' Vainuku told reporters Monday. In the panic after the shots were fired, a pregnant woman was injured trying to climb a fence to get away, Vainuku said. Several people witnessed the shooting, and police are interviewing them as part of their investigation, she said. 'We're still trying to piece together exactly how the incident started,' Vainuku said. Vainuku also noted that in accordance with Salt Lake County's critical incident protocol, a team led by the Salt Lake City Police Department will investigate the shooting. To preserve the integrity of that investigation, West Valley police officials 'have not talked to either of our officers who actually engaged the suspect.' 'In short, then, there are simply details that we will not know until the investigation is complete,' she said. Vainuku called the shooting at the city's annual festival 'heartbreaking.' 'WestFest is something that is a celebration of our community, a celebration of all of the things that make our community great, a celebration of the diversity and the fun and the good, hard-working people of our community,' she said. 'It's heartbreaking … for all of us to see something like this happen as something that is just a real treasure, something we really enjoy in our community.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang and the West Valley City Council issued a joint statement Monday afternoon saying 'we are heartbroken.' 'What should have been a joyful night of community celebration ended in unimaginable tragedy,' West Valley City leaders said. 'We mourn the lives lost and stand in deep sorrow with the families whose worlds have been forever changed.' Lang and the City Council said West Valley City is a 'community rooted in resilience, compassion, and unity. In the face of heartbreak, we must lean on one another, care for one another, and recommit ourselves to building a safer, stronger community.' They thanked police officers, first responders, and medical teams who 'acted swiftly, as well as the detectives working tirelessly to uncover the full truth.' 'We grieve with you and ask that all of us continue to stand together and support one another,' they said. In response to the statement posted on the city's Facebook page, several commenters called on city leaders to consider improving security for WestFest. 'This was very sad but West Valley City government needs to have some discussions around the security of WestFest,' one commenter said. 'A friend encountered a knife fight as well Saturday night. The festival has progressively had more incidents over the years and residents are uncomfortable taking their children to community events. Sending love and light to all those affected by this tragedy in our community.' Vainuku told reporters Monday that security at WestFest is 'extensive,' but she said city leaders are always open to considering changes. 'Any time that you have a large gathering of people, it would be incumbent upon us, of course, to plan for security to ensure that people are safe. And that's exactly what people had there last night,' she said. 'We had an extensive police presence there, just simply because of the size of the event.' At the time of the shooting, she said an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 people were in attendance as the festival wound down on its final night, scheduled to end at 11 p.m. 'In fact, this shooting took place maybe 100 yards from our police mobile command post,' she said. 'So I think it's fair to say this was not about a lack of resources (or) a lack of police presence. This was about something entirely different.' Vainuku said WestFest's entrance did not include metal detectors. 'That's not something that was in place,' she told reporters. 'I've been asked if that's something that we're considering.' She said 'that's not really a conversation that we're focused on at this moment,' noting that police are focusing on responding to Sunday night's shooting, 'but I can tell you that as a city, we're always dedicated to evaluating and reevaluating and doing the best that we possibly can, whatever that takes.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Police investigating ‘peacekeepers' role in fatal shooting at ‘No Kings' protest in Utah
A man receives medical attention after being taken into police custody after a shooting at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Who were the 'peacekeepers?' And did they have any formal qualifications or training to be acting as armed security? Those questions, among others, remained unanswered Monday after a man marching in the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, identified as Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, was shot and killed on Saturday. According to police, the shooting happened after two men described as 'peacekeepers' confronted another man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was carrying an AR-15 style rifle. One of the men, reportedly part of the event's security team, fired three shots from a handgun, grazing Gamboa but also hitting Ah Loo, who police said was an 'innocent bystander.' Ah Loo later died at the hospital. Man dies after being shot in chaotic scene at Salt Lake City's 'No Kings' protest Shortly after the shooting, police arrested Gamboa, and he was booked into jail for investigation of murder. Police say, however, that Gamboa did not fire his rifle. The two 'peacekeepers,' who wore high-visability vests, were initially detained by police, but were released after being questioned. Police said the man who fired the three shots is cooperating with police. While Utahns grieve the killing of Ah Loo, some applauded the 'peacekeepers'' actions to prevent what could have turned into a mass shooting. Others questioned whether the armed man who shot at Gamboa and inadvertently fatally struck Ah Loo acted appropriately. According to an affidavit of probable cause for Gamboa's arrest, one of the 'peacekeepers' told police he saw Gamboa 'move away from the main crowd into a secluded area behind a wall.' There, he observed Gamboa take out an AR-15 style rifle from his backpack and begin to 'manipulate it.' Then they 'called out to him to drop the gun after drawing their own firearms,' according to the affidavit. '(Gamboa) 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,' the affidavit says. That's when one of the 'peacekeepers' fired three rounds at Gamboa. One of the bullets hit Ah Loo, 'causing a fatal wound.' 'The peacekeepers then attempted to provide medical aid to the victim, who was pronounced dead at the hospital,' the affidavit said. 'Arturo Gamboa was acting under circumstances evidencing a depraved indifference to human life, and knowingly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death to another individual and thereby causes the death of the other individual.' In a statement issued Monday afternoon, the Salt Lake City Police Department said it's investigating the involvement of the 'peacekeepers,' as well as other aspects of the protest's organization and staffing. 'At this time, it remains unclear whether these individuals were hired by or volunteered for the event organizers, or acted on their own initiative,' Salt Lake City Police spokesperson Brent Weisberg said. 2 people shot, including suspect in custody, during 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, Utah The 'No Kings' protest was organized by a Utah chapter of the 50501 Movement, a grassroots group that organizes rallies to protest actions by President Donald Trump and his administration. Utah News Dispatch emailed a list of questions to both national and local organizers asking about the role of 'peacekeepers' during the event, how many were in Salt Lake City, how they were vetted, if at all, and whether they had qualifications or training to be acting as armed security during the protest. Those questions, and requests for comment, were not immediately returned Monday. However, in a Sunday post on the national 50501's Facebook page, the group said, 'In the face of this heartbreaking situation, we would like to affirm our commitment to nonviolence and to our non-negotiable prohibition of firearms policy for anyone representing 50501 at any of our actions or events.' 'It is clear we do not have a complete understanding of what happened yet,' the group said. 'What is certain is that, if no guns were present at this protest, this tragedy would have been prevented altogether.' The group added that 'our hearts are with (Ah Loo's) family and community during this time of unimaginable loss and grief.' Sarah Parker, a national coordinator with the 50501 Movement, also described the event's 'peacekeepers' as volunteers who helped direct the march and were responsible for keeping attendees safe, The New York Times reported. She also estimated that 15 to 20 such volunteers were at the protest in Salt Lake City, according to the Times. Volunteer peacekeeping teams are common for protests, Parker told the Associated Press. But she said organizers typically ask attendees, including peacekeepers, not to bring weapons. Still, she said she believed they likely stopped what could have been a larger mass shooting. 'Our safety team did as best as they could in a situation that is extremely sad and extremely scary,' Parker said. In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Utah chapter of the 50501 movement thanked Utahns for their 'outpouring of support for the victim's family.' It also addressed criticism that the group had disclosed the victim had died before Salt Lake City police released that information to the media, saying 'our team was directly involved.' 'Some of you seem to think a keyboard and social media give you a free pass to be nasty and accusatory,' the Facebook post said. '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.' In a lengthy statement Monday as questions and criticism swirled around the 'peacekeepers' and their role, Weisberg said the term was first used in a probable cause affidavit for the arrest of Gamboa and later appeared in a news release Sunday, 'reflecting how one of the men questioned self-described as a 'peacekeeper' during interviews with SLCPD detectives in the early stages of the investigation.' 'The SLCPD will be learning more, through its investigation, about the event staffing during this event, including the roles, responsibilities, and terminology of individuals who may have been assisting during the event,' Weisberg said. He added that the term 'peacekeeper' does not 'represent any formal designation recognized by the Salt Lake City Police Department or the City.' And he said there is 'no information, at this time, about whether this is an official term used by the event organizers.' 'There is no record in the event's permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security,' he said. 'Based on the information currently available to the Salt Lake City Police Department, neither of the men identified as 'peacekeepers' are current or former members of law enforcement, including the Salt Lake City Police Department.' Earlier Monday, Utah News Dispatch submitted a list of questions to the Salt Lake City Police Department asking to what extent, if any, the Salt Lake City Police Department had coordinated with event organizers or teams acting as security. The Dispatch also asked whether Salt Lake police officers were aware of 'peacekeepers' concealing or carrying firearms and if they were investigating their qualifications to be acting as security. 'While the Salt Lake City Police Department was aware that Saturday's demonstration would include people in support roles, such as those helping to marshal or guide the crowd, these functions are entirely internal to the event,' Weisberg said. 'They are not overseen, sanctioned, or trained by the Salt Lake City Police Department. 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.' However, Weisberg said the Salt Lake City Police Department's public order unit and its police liaison officers 'worked with event organizers prior to and during Saturday's event to coordinate with the goal of having a peaceful and lawful demonstration.' '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,' Weisberg said. The case remains under investigation. Charges, as of Monday afternoon, had not been filed against Gamboa or anyone else involved in the shooting. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office declined to say whether prosecutors are considering filing any charges against the 'peacekeepers' who were involved in the shooting. '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 prepared statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Utah is a 'constitutional carry' state, which means it allows the open and concealed carrying of firearms without a permit for those who are legally allowed to possess them. In 2021, with HB60, the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature eliminated the state's concealed carry permit requirements. Now, anyone 21 and over who can legally possess a gun is free to carry it loaded and hidden in public. Unlike 26 other states, Utah has not adopted a law prohibiting the carrying of long guns at state capitols or political protests, according to Everytown Research & Policy, an organization that produces research on gun violence and advocates for gun violence prevention. The group has ranked Utah as No. 36 in the country for 'gun law strength.' No information has been released about the 'peacekeepers,' including how old they are and whether they were legally able to carry and conceal firearms. 'While Utah law governs when and how a person may carry and use a firearm, the lawfulness of any individual's possession or use depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case,' Weisberg said. In the wake of Saturday's shooting — as well as a shooting the following day at WestFest, a carnival in West Valley City, that left three dead, including an 8-month-old baby — gun control advocates called for change. 8-month-old baby among 3 dead from shooting at West Valley City carnival 'From marching in our communities, to attending carnivals, the recent tragedies in our state makes it clear we are not safe until our state addresses our gun violence crisis,' said Jaden Christensen, a Utah chapter leader of Moms Demand Action. 'This is not freedom, it's a failure of leadership. The gun violence we're seeing across our state and country should be a blaring alarm for lawmakers: it's time to act with the urgency this moment demands. Enough is enough.' Utah House Democrats also issued a statement called the shootings in Utah — along with the slayings of lawmakers in Minnesota — 'heartbreaking, but unfortunately, not surprising.' 'The conditions for this kind of violence have been building for years, driven by a toxic combination of hateful rhetoric and easy access to firearms,' Utah House Democratic leadership said. 'That rhetoric, often amplified by leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, has created an environment that often leads to violence.' They added that their Republican colleagues 'insist that 'guns don't kill people — people kill people.' Yet many of those same leaders use their platforms to target marginalized communities, spread misinformation, and stoke division.' 'We urge all elected officials to reflect on the impact of their words and how they contribute to the dangerous climate we face today,' they said. 'As a caucus, we remain committed to advancing policies that reduce gun violence, promote accountability, and protect the safety and dignity of every Utahn. We call on others to join us in that commitment.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
