On June 14, thousands participated in coordinated “No Kings” protests across the U.S. against President Trump’s policies. The demonstrations mostly remained peaceful, but violence erupted in some locations. In Salt Lake City, Utah, an innocent bystander, 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, was killed during a shooting involving a peacekeeping team and a man identified as Arturo Gamboa, who had brandished a rifle. The incident occurred amid a gathering of approximately 10,000 protesters; gunfire prompted chaos, with people seeking safety in nearby businesses and parking garages.
Authorities reported that police officers heard gunfire around 7:56 p.m. and quickly responded to the scene, providing emergency care to Ah Loo, who later died in the hospital. The preliminary investigation indicated he was not the intended target. Gamboa, 24, was apprehended and charged with murder after he allegedly brandished an AR-15-style rifle. Conflict began when peacekeepers confronted Gamboa, who displayed suspicious behavior, leading to a series of shots fired, including one that struck Ah Loo.
Simultaneously, protests saw violence elsewhere; an SUV was driven into a crowd in Northern Virginia, injuring at least one person, while tensions escalated in Los Angeles, where police clashed with demonstrators. Amid the unrest, Minnesota lawmaker families were also tragically affected, as one was killed in a politically motivated incident. Overall, while the majority of the “No Kings” protests were peaceful, the violent outbreaks raised serious concerns about public safety during political demonstrations. The Salt Lake City incident remains under investigation as authorities assess the situation’s circumstances and responses from peacekeepers.
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