Editor’s Note: On June 16, 2025, during the 7 am “GMA”, ABC News incorrectly declared that someone was fired by the police. This is not the case. The police are investigating the shooting.
Salt Lake City Police are investigating the roles of two “quarry” self -styled after a fatal shooting in Saturday’s protest that left a dead person and another wound, asking questions about unauthorized security in public demonstrations.
The two men, who wore yellow “high visibility” vests during the incident, were interrogated and released while the researchers work to determine whether they were appointed by the protest organizers, offered as volunteers or were authentic.
None of the individuals have experience of application of the current or previous law, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD).
The incident occurred during a “No Kings Day” protest that attracted an estimate of 10,000 people to Pioneer Park. According to Salt Lake City Police, violence exploded when two men, identified as “peace forces” by the police, faced Arturo Roberto Gamboa, 24, after detecting it allegedly withdrawing and “manipulating” a rifle about 151 S. State Street around 8 pm around 8 pm.
The protesters carry signs and sing while marching during a protest of “No Reyes”, June 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City.
Amanda Barrett/AP
“The witnesses say that Gamboa lifted the gun in a shot position and began to run towards the crowd,” Salt Lake City Chief Brian Redd, Sunday at a press conference, said on Sunday.
One of the peace forces opened fire, hitting both Gamboa and an innocent spectator, Arthur Folasa “AFA” Ah Loo, 39. Ah Loo was killed in the incident, while Gamboa was injured and then arrested, according to the police.
The protest was organized by 50501, a base group known to organize demonstrations and protests throughout the country.
According to the police, there was no record in the permission of the event to indicate the presence of organized or armed security, and the investigators are still working to determine the total number of “peace forces” present at the rally.
The shooting caused a rapid reaction of state leadership. The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, described the incident “an act of deeply worrying violence” that “does not take place in our public square” in a statement on Saturday night. After talking with Salt Lake City mayor, Erin Mendenhall, Cox then published in X: “My heart is broken for all the impacted tonight.”
While Utah’s law allows the possession and use of firearms under certain circumstances, the police say that the legality of the actions of any individual will depend on the specific details of the case.
SLCPD Homicide detectives are working with the Salt Lake County District Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether the use of lethal force was legal according to state law.
Police say that Gamboa, who was found “crouched among a small multitude of people” after the shooting, was dressed in black clothes and a mask, and had an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask and a backpack. He has been admitted to Salt Lake County prison for murder investigation, although police confirm that he did not shoot any shot.
The protest in Salt Lake City was part of the national demonstrations “No Kings Day” that attracted more than 5 million participants throughout the country, according to the organizers. The protests were held to counteract the Trump administration and a military parade in Washington, DC
The investigation is still ongoing, with SLCPD homicide detectives who work closely with the Salt Lake County District Prosecutor’s Office. The department has requested that any person with photos or videos of the incident upload them to their evidence portal.
“Our detectives are now working to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Redd said in a press release. “We will not allow this individual act to believe in our community.”
