The incident occurred during the “No Kings” rally, as tensions escalated between demonstrators and a man allegedly carrying a rifle, reported CNN.
The safety volunteer, who has not been named, fired three rounds at 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa after he was seen brandishing a rifle at the crowd. Sadly, one of those shots struck and killed another protester, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a respected fashion designer and former Project Runway contestant.
According to police, Gamboa didn’t fire his rifle, and although he was arrested, no formal criminal charges have been laid against him. He is, however, being held on suspicion of murder for his role in creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo’s death. His father, Albert Gamboa, maintains his son’s innocence, claiming he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The veteran involved, a former military member, was reportedly trying to prevent what appeared to be an armed threat during the protest. The protest itself, which had around 10,000 attendees, was otherwise peaceful. But when Gamboa allegedly drew the rifle from his backpack, chaos quickly unfolded.
Witnesses say Gamboa moved toward the crowd while holding the rifle in what appeared to be a “firing position.” At this point, the safety volunteer and another man drew their own handguns, ordering Gamboa to drop his weapon. But instead of complying, Gamboa allegedly advanced, prompting the volunteer to fire. Gamboa suffered a minor injury, but Ah Loo tragically died in hospital.
The investigation is still ongoing, and police are trying to figure out the motivation behind Gamboa’s actions. Did he intend to harm anyone? Was he trying to protect himself? Gamboa’s intentions remain unclear, and his arrest raised more questions than answers. For now, he is in police custody, though he hasn’t been formally charged with any crime related to the shooting itself.
The “No Kings” rally was one of many across the US protesting President Donald Trump’s military parade marking the Army’s 250th anniversary. But in Salt Lake City, things turned deadly when a safety volunteer, who was carrying a weapon, opened fire. The safety volunteer’s role was to maintain order and keep the peace, but why he was armed is a point of contention. Protest organizers have stated that all volunteers were told not to bring weapons.
The Utah chapter of the 50501 Movement, which helped coordinate the protest, claimed the safety volunteer was simply doing his job when he thought the crowd was in immediate danger. Yet, Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for the group, also pointed out that attendees, including those in safety roles, were specifically told not to carry weapons. So why this volunteer was armed is still under scrutiny.
Edward Maguire, a criminology professor, weighed in, saying that arming marshals or peacekeepers is generally discouraged, as it often makes situations worse. He said the role of safety teams is typically to de-escalate situations using communication and calm, not force.
It’s still unclear exactly what happened in those chaotic moments when the shooting took place. But one thing is for certain—an innocent life was lost, and the situation is far from resolved.
Ah Loo, the protester who lost his life, was more than just a participant. He was a well-known designer who celebrated Pacific Island artists and was a beloved figure in the fashion community. His tragic death has left many wondering what could have been done differently to avoid such a disaster.