The “No Kings” protests across the U.S. sharply contrasted with a military parade held by the Trump administration, attracting significantly more attendees. During the demonstrations, an incident in Salt Lake City involved protester Arturo Gamboa, who was accused of brandishing a rifle and was arrested on suspicion of murder after a safety volunteer mistakenly shot and killed another protester, 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Gamboa was released from jail after prosecutors couldn’t decide on charges by his release date.
On June 14, during the “No Kings” protest, which drew estimates of 10,000 to 18,000 participants, gunfire broke out when Gamboa allegedly moved toward the crowd brandishing an AR-15 style rifle. Police reported that a member of the peacekeeping team fired three shots, hitting both Gamboa and Ah Loo. Witnesses noted Gamboa’s suspicious behavior, which prompted the peacekeepers to confront him. Despite being shot, he possessed a rifle, gas mask, and additional tactical gear at the scene.
Investigators are still probing the shooting and have urged the public to provide any related evidence or footage. As the protests continued nationwide, some were marred by violence; in Virginia, an individual drove an SUV into a crowd, injuring at least one, while police in various cities responded with force to clashes. While most demonstrations were peaceful, the Salt Lake City shooting highlights the underlying tensions surrounding the protests and the significant reactions they provoked across the country.
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