Arthur Ah Loo Killed in Salt Lake City Protest Shooting After Peacekeeper Fires at Armed Man Arturo Gamboa
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A peaceful evening protest in downtown Salt Lake City turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy Saturday night when a confrontation between an armed man and a private peacekeeper ended in the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander.
According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, the incident unfolded just after 8:00 p.m. near the intersection of 100 South and 200 East, during a demonstration known as “No Kings Day,” an annual gathering that advocates for the end of authoritarianism and centralized power.
Police say the shooter, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, a Utah resident with no known prior criminal history, has been arrested and is now facing charges of murder, despite not firing a single shot during the incident.
A Rapidly Escalating Situation
Witnesses reported that tensions began to rise when Gamboa was seen acting suspiciously near the protest perimeter. Eyewitnesses say he briefly separated himself from the crowd, concealed himself behind a structure, and then emerged carrying what appeared to be an AR-15-style rifle.
The sight of the weapon triggered alarm among attendees and caught the attention of two armed private security personnel—referred to by organizers as “peacekeepers”—tasked with protecting the demonstrators and de-escalating volatile scenarios.
As Gamboa raised the rifle and began moving toward the crowd, one of the peacekeepers, believing a mass shooting was imminent, drew a handgun and fired three rounds.
Tragic Misfire Claims Innocent Life
One of those rounds struck Gamboa in the side of his abdomen, while another hit 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a well-known community member and peaceful participant in the protest.
Ah Loo collapsed to the ground in front of horrified onlookers. Responding officers, along with medics from the Salt Lake City SWAT unit, administered emergency aid on the scene before Ah Loo was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Gamboa, though wounded, attempted to blend into the fleeing crowd. Several bystanders, realizing what had happened, pointed him out to nearby police officers. He was apprehended without further incident.
Police recovered multiple items from Gamboa at the time of his arrest, including the AR-15-style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack. Authorities confirmed that Gamboa did not fire any shots during the confrontation.
Legal Complexities and a Murder Charge
Despite not pulling the trigger, Gamboa now faces a murder charge under Utah’s felony murder rule—a legal standard that allows for homicide charges when someone’s criminal behavior creates circumstances that directly lead to another person’s death.
“This is a deeply tragic situation,” Chief Redd stated in a press briefing Sunday. “Someone’s choice to bring a high-powered rifle to a protest led to confusion, panic, and ultimately the loss of an innocent life.”
Salt Lake City Police are coordinating closely with the District Attorney’s Office to determine if additional charges should be filed, and whether the private peacekeeper who discharged the fatal rounds acted lawfully under the circumstances.
Public Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting has sparked outrage and calls for a deeper review of the use of private security at public protests, as well as concerns over the open carry of assault-style weapons during peaceful gatherings.
In social media posts and livestreams captured before the shooting, some demonstrators mentioned seeing a man matching Gamboa’s description carrying a similar weapon earlier in the day at a local Maverik convenience store. Police have not yet confirmed whether these tips are connected to Gamboa or if he had made any prior threats.
“We urge the public to come forward with any photos, video footage, or information that can help us piece together the full timeline of events,” said a department spokesperson.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department directly.
A City in Mourning
The family of Arthur Ah Loo has not released a public statement but is said to be receiving support from faith leaders and members of the Pacific Islander community, where Ah Loo was a beloved figure known for his calm demeanor and strong sense of justice.
“This is not just a legal case—it’s a moral reckoning,” said activist Malae Tupuola, who attended the protest. “Arthur stood for peace, and now we’re burying him because someone brought war into our streets.”
The “No Kings Day” organizing group has since postponed further events and is calling for a citywide vigil in honor of Ah Loo.
As the investigation continues, city officials face growing pressure to examine not only the criminal actions that led to the shooting but the broader implications for protest safety, gun laws, and the presence of private armed security at public demonstrations.