Utah’s Salt Lake City Following a tragic gunshot that occurred during the June 14 No Kings event in downtown Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City Police Department has provided additional information.
The event happened on 151 South State Street at approximately 7:56 p.m. and resulted in the death of 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Ah Loo was not the intended target, according to the police, and was an innocent spectator.
An estimated 10,000 people attended the demonstration, but when gunshots broke out, hundreds of people fled into surrounding garages, businesses, and behind barriers in fear. With the help of SWAT paramedics and local residents, officers on the scene promptly secured the area and started Ah Loo’s life-saving procedures. Ah Loo later passed away in the hospital in spite of their attempts.
Officers found 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa close to 102 South 200 East shortly after the shooting. Gamboa was discovered wearing all black and wearing a black mask after being shot. Police found a rucksack, dark clothes, a gas mask, and an AR-15-style firearm nearby.
Peacekeepers intervened before suspect ran toward crowd
Two men who were designated as event peacekeepers reportedly saw Gamboa acting strangely as he went behind a wall and took the rifle out of his backpack, according to the police. They walked up to him and told him to put down the gun.
Instead, according to witnesses, Gamboa raised the weapon and dashed at the throng. Three shots were fired by one of the peacekeepers, hitting Gamboa and unintentionally hitting Ah Loo.
Why Gamboa pulled out the rifle and tried to run toward the protest has not been established by detectives. Following medical care, Gamboa was charged with murder and taken to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
As part of their ongoing investigation, the Salt Lake City Police Department is examining the peacekeepers’ behavior. Community members have been asked by authorities to submit any pertinent images or recordings.
