Utah ‘No Kings’ Rally Shooting Update: Arrest Made and Suspect Released Amid Ongoing Investigation

A man named Arturo Gamboa, 24, who brought a rifle to a “No Kings” rally in Utah, has been released from jail amid an ongoing investigation into a tragic shooting that happened during the event. Gamboa was suspected of murder after a safety volunteer accidentally shot and killed another protester, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, during the rally on June 14.

Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill’s office is still deciding on charges against Gamboa. He had been carrying an assault-style rifle but did not fire it. His lawyer, Greg Skordas, claims Gamboa was merely walking with the unloaded rifle pointed at the ground and didn’t hear any commands to drop it. Gamboa’s father described him as “an innocent guy” caught in the wrong situation.

Witnesses initially said Gamboa lifted the rifle when ordered to drop it and then ran toward the crowd. However, police later acknowledged that the details were unclear and appealed for any video evidence surrounding the incident. This uncertainty has left many questions unanswered.

Experts like Edward Maguire, a criminology professor at Arizona State University, note that it’s unusual for safety volunteers to be armed. They usually rely on communication and de-escalation to maintain order during protests. In this case, the event’s permit did not indicate that armed security would be present, raising concerns about the volunteer’s role and training.

Utah is an open-carry state, allowing legal gun owners to carry firearms in public. This fact is crucial when considering the context of the rally, which was one of many across the nation protesting President Donald Trump’s military parade.

Interestingly, there have been increasing calls for more stringent training for protest marshals, especially those who may carry weapons. In a survey conducted by the National Police Foundation, 68% of police officers believe that better training could prevent incidents like this in the future.

The protest, which drew around 18,000 people, was largely peaceful, making the shooting even more shocking. In light of this incident, both safety measures and the involvement of armed personnel at public demonstrations may be reevaluated on a broader scale.

Gamboa must now live with his father and is not allowed to possess firearms for two months or until charges are filed. The investigation continues, with many on social media expressing their outrage and concern over how this tragedy unfolded at a gathering meant for peaceful expression.



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Salt Lake City, Shootings, Donald Trump, Utah, District of Columbia, Crime, Arturo Gamboa, General news, Protests and demonstrations, Law enforcement, Prisons, Homicide, Gun violence, UT State Wire, Greg Skordas, Sarah Parker, Albert Gamboa, James Blanch, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, Indictments, U.S. news, Edward Maguire