Arturo Gamboa Utah Shooting; Arthur Folasa Ah Loo Killed in Accidental Shooting During “No Kings” Demonstration
Salt Lake City is reeling after a peaceful protest turned tragic Saturday night when a 39-year-old man, identified as Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, was fatally shot during the “No Kings” demonstration.
The event, which drew an estimated 10,000 participants, was taking place near 151 S. State Street when the chaos unfolded. Salt Lake City Police confirmed Ah Loo’s death on Sunday, stating that despite rapid life-saving efforts from SWAT medics and the Salt Lake City Fire Department, he succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Ah Loo was reportedly an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire during a confrontation between a heavily armed individual and members of a volunteer peacekeeping team.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd detailed the sequence of events during a Sunday press conference, describing a “chaotic and fast-moving scene” that is still under active investigation.
According to police accounts, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa was seen separating from the crowd and stepping behind a wall, where he began manipulating what appeared to be a rifle.
Two men wearing high-visibility vests—believed to be affiliated with the protest’s peacekeeping efforts—confronted Gamboa as he raised the weapon and began moving toward the crowd in what witnesses described as a threatening manner.
In response, one of the peacekeepers fired three rounds at Gamboa, hitting both Gamboa and Arthur Ah Loo, who police say was not the intended target. Gamboa sustained a minor gunshot wound and was later subdued.
A bystander took Gamboa’s backpack, which police say contained an AR-15 style rifle and a gas mask, preventing further danger. Detectives booked Gamboa into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on suspicion of murder.
Jail records show he is being held without bail. Authorities confirmed that Gamboa has no known criminal history, and his motivations remain unknown at this time. There is currently no evidence suggesting he was acting in coordination with anyone else.
As for the individual who fired the fatal shot, police say he is cooperating fully with the investigation. As of Sunday, no charges have been filed against him.
Chief Redd emphasized the difficulty of the situation and praised the actions of bystanders who helped police locate and identify Gamboa during the unfolding crisis. “The crowd actually pointed him out to law enforcement, and their actions were heroic,” Redd said.
The event was organized by Utah 50501, a group focused on civic engagement and social justice. In a Facebook post on Sunday, the group expressed deep sorrow over the incident and confirmed that some of their members were directly involved in responding to the threat.
“Our teams just had to deal with something extremely traumatizing,” the post read, urging the public to refrain from speculation and allow investigators to do their work.
The group is now coordinating with authorities to organize a vigil in memory of Arthur Ah Loo, who is being remembered by friends and family as a kind, generous, and community-minded individual.
His sudden and tragic death has left Salt Lake City residents shaken, casting a shadow over what had otherwise been a peaceful and powerful display of civic unity.
“This was a horrific moment of violence in a historic day full of thousands of Utahns exercising their right to protest,” Utah 50501 wrote. “Nothing will ever change the undeniable strength of our community.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with video or additional information to come forward.
