Several Taken Into Custody Following Incident At Utah Protest
What was meant to be a political demonstration in Salt Lake City turned into a deadly confrontation Saturday evening when 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was shot and killed by a member of the protest’s own “peacekeeping team.”
The incident has sparked widespread concern over escalating tensions at political protests and the roles of unofficial security elements within these movements.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the incident unfolded during a “No Kings” protest—part of a series of left-wing demonstrations held nationwide. Attendee Sam Hernandez observed a rifle stock protruding from a backpack carried by a man later identified as Arturo Gamboa.
When other protest participants appeared unresponsive to the warning, Hernandez intervened himself, seizing the weapon and alerting nearby officers. The exchange was caught on video and later circulated online.
Gamboa was subsequently apprehended by Salt Lake City Police after being discovered hiding with other protesters in a nearby alcove. Authorities reported that the suspect's bag contained an AR-15-style rifle and a gas mask.
Tragically, it was not Gamboa who fired the fatal shot. Police believe that a member of the protest’s “peacekeeping” team discharged the weapon that killed Ah Loo. According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, the peacekeepers attempted to confront Gamboa after observing him retrieve the rifle during the event. During that attempt, a shot was fired, resulting in Ah Loo’s death.
Law enforcement has clarified that their officers were not responsible for the shooting. In total, four individuals connected to the event have been arrested. While Gamboa never fired the weapon, authorities allege his conduct displayed a “depraved indifference to human life,” contributing to the deadly outcome.
Gamboa was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of murder, although formal charges are pending as the investigation continues. The decision now lies with county prosecutors, who will determine what, if any, charges will ultimately be filed.
Meanwhile, authorities are piecing together how a demonstration meant to challenge political power structures ended in fatal violence. As Chief Redd emphasized, this remains an “active investigation,” and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.