Tragedy at “No Kings” Protest: Beloved Utah Man Arthur Folasa Ah Loo Killed After Armed Attacker Sparks Chaos in Salt Lake City Crowd

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — June 14, 2025 — What began as a peaceful evening of unity and protest in downtown Salt Lake City descended into tragedy Saturday night when gunfire erupted in the middle of the “No Kings” demonstration, leaving one man dead and sparking widespread grief and confusion among the thousands in attendance.

The victim, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old Utah resident known for his vibrant spirit and strong sense of community, was shot during the incident and later died at an area hospital, despite rapid life-saving efforts by on-scene medics and Salt Lake City Fire Department responders.

According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, chaos erupted around 151 S. State Street shortly before nightfall, as a crowd of nearly 10,000 gathered in solidarity for the “No Kings” protest—a demonstration focused on anti-authoritarianism and calls for systemic reform. Amid the march, an armed man, identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, entered the scene wielding an AR-15-style rifle.

In a press conference Sunday morning, Police Chief Brian Redd detailed how two individuals, reportedly part of the event’s unofficial peacekeeping team, observed Gamboa behaving suspiciously. Witnesses say Gamboa separated from the crowd, stepped behind a wall, and began manipulating the firearm, raising immediate concern.

“He was seen positioning the weapon in a ready-to-fire stance and running toward the dense crowd,” Chief Redd explained. “One of the peacekeepers responded by discharging his firearm in an effort to neutralize the threat.”

In the exchange, Gamboa was struck by at least one bullet, sustaining a non-life-threatening injury. However, in the tragic seconds that followed, a bystander—later identified as Arthur Ah Loo—was also hit. Preliminary investigations suggest Ah Loo was not the intended target but a devastatingly unfortunate casualty caught in the crossfire.

“He was merely a peaceful participant in the demonstration,” Chief Redd said solemnly. “This was a senseless and avoidable death.”

The chaotic aftermath saw another bystander courageously retrieve Gamboa’s backpack, which was found to contain the AR-15-style rifle and a gas mask—items that raised further concerns about his intentions. Authorities emphasized that there is, as of yet, no evidence that Gamboa was acting as part of any organized group or had accomplices present.

Gamboa, who has no prior criminal record, was immediately taken into custody and later booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of murder. He is currently being held without bail. While his exact motivations remain unclear, investigators are continuing to comb through electronic records, social media activity, and witness testimony to determine whether this was a premeditated act or a sudden act of violence.

The two men identified as part of the event’s peacekeeping effort have not been charged. The man who fired the shots is fully cooperating with the police, and the department has not taken any legal action against him as of now.

“We’re still piecing together a very complex sequence of events,” Redd added. “There are unanswered questions, and we’re determined to get to the bottom of what occurred—not just for the sake of justice, but for the sake of the thousands who came out in peace and left in fear.”

As Salt Lake City begins to process this traumatic incident, tributes have begun to pour in for Arthur Ah Loo. Friends and family describe him as a kind, thoughtful individual who believed deeply in justice and the power of collective action.

“He was there to support change, to stand for something good,” said one mourner at a growing memorial near the site of the protest. “He wasn’t just a name or a number—he was someone we all knew and loved.”

City leaders, including the mayor’s office, are expected to address the community in the coming days, and counseling services are being offered to those affected by the tragedy.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking any witnesses or individuals with footage from the protest to come forward to aid in the investigation.

As the city mourns, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatility that can erupt even in moments of peaceful assembly—and the unpredictable human toll of gun violence in public spaces.