Utah officials are investigating the involvement of “peacekeepers” in the shooting death of fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo during the “No Kings” demonstration in Salt Lake City. The police inquiry will assess the event’s staffing and the roles of individuals present, particularly whether the peacekeepers were organized by event coordinators or acted independently.
The demonstration was held without a state permit requirement for firearms, and police confirmed that the official event permit did not include provisions for armed security. Authorities reported that neither shooter was affiliated with law enforcement but were wearing high-visibility vests and carrying handguns. Ah Loo, 39, was fatally injured after being struck by a bullet aimed at Arturo Gamboa, who was seen attempting to brandish an AR-15-style rifle amid the crowd. One peacekeeper fired at Gamboa in response, unintentionally hitting Ah Loo instead. Gamboa, now in custody, could potentially face murder charges despite not directly firing the fatal shot.
Event organizers, the 50501 Movement – Utah, offered condolences in a social media post, emphasizing their commitment to nonviolence and a strict firearms prohibition at their events. They acknowledged a “local volunteer” fired the rounds but did not provide further comments. The movement’s national chapter reiterated their stance on preventing gun presence at protests, stating that the tragedy could have been avoided had firearms not been involved.
This incident highlights critical concerns about public safety at protests and the implications of armed individuals within such gatherings, as authorities work to clarify the circumstances leading to Ah Loo’s tragic death.
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