Bystander Killed at ‘No Kings’ March Raises Complex Legal Questions About Self-Defense
SALT LAKE CITY — A fatal shooting at a “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City has thrust an agonizing legal puzzle into the spotlight: When a volunteer peacekeeper fires at an armed man to protect a crowd of 10,000 but kills an innocent bystander instead, who is criminally responsible?
The answer, according to legal experts, is far from straightforward — and both the shooter and the man he was trying to stop could face liability.
The Incident
On Saturday, June 14, as an estimated 10,000 demonstrators marched through downtown Salt Lake City, two men wearing neon green vests — part of an unofficial volunteer peacekeeping team — noticed Arturo Roberto Gamboa, 24, separate from the crowd and move behind a wall, according to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd. Witnesses said Gamboa removed an AR-15 style rifle from a backpack and began manipulating it.
When the peacekeepers confronted Gamboa with handguns drawn, witnesses reported that Gamboa raised his rifle into a firing position and ran toward the crowd. One of the peacekeepers fired three rounds from a handgun, striking Gamboa and, tragically, 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo — a fashion designer, former “Project Runway” contestant, husband, and father of two who was participating in the demonstration.
Ah Loo was pronounced dead at the hospital. Gamboa, who never fired a shot, was wounded, treated, and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on investigation of murder. The peacekeeper who fired the fatal shot is cooperating with police and has not been arrested.
The Victim
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, known as Afa, was a beloved figure in Salt Lake City’s creative community. Originally from Samoa, he appeared on Season 17 of Bravo’s “Project Runway” and founded Creative Pacific, an event celebrating Pacific Islands diversity. He is survived by his wife Laura and their two children.
The Legal Crossroads
The case presents what legal analysts describe as a legally unprecedented scenario, forcing prosecutors to weigh charges against two individuals whose actions were intertwined in a single tragic outcome.
The peacekeeper’s liability: Under Utah Code Section 76-2-402, a person may use deadly force in defense of others if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury. However, KSL legal analyst Greg Skordas said the peacekeeper does not enjoy the immunity afforded to law enforcement officers.
“The peacekeeper, under the facts as we understand them, are certainly liable both civilly and criminally,” Skordas told KSL.com. “They don’t enjoy immunity like a police officer would.”
Bill Pedersen, director of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, emphasized a fundamental principle of firearm responsibility: “We talk about that we are responsible for every shot that comes out of our gun.”
Gamboa’s murder charge: Although Gamboa did not fire the fatal shot, the police booking affidavit alleges he acted with “depraved indifference to human life” by brandishing a rifle and running toward the crowd — conduct that created a grave risk of death. Utah’s felony murder rule could apply if his actions constituted a felony that resulted in a death.
The Peacekeeper Problem
Complicating the investigation is the ambiguous status of the volunteer peacekeeping team. Salt Lake City police said Monday that “peacekeeper” is not a formal designation they recognize, and the protest organizers’ event permit contained no record of organized or armed security. Organizers later identified the shooter as a “safety volunteer” and military veteran, according to NBC News.
Sarah Parker, national coordinator for the 50501 Movement, which partnered in the protest, said the organization asks attendees — including peacekeepers — not to bring weapons. Still, she noted that the peacekeepers’ actions “stopped what could’ve been a larger mass casualty event.”
Broader Implications
The shooting occurred against the backdrop of nationwide “No Kings” protests, which drew millions of demonstrators across the country opposing the second Trump administration’s policies. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, the Salt Lake City tragedy underscores the volatile potential when armed citizens take on security roles at political events.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting “a deeply troubling act of violence that has no place in our public square,” while Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall urged the public not to let the incident overshadow the peaceful purpose of the demonstration.
What’s Next
The Salt Lake County District Attorney faces difficult charging decisions in the coming weeks. Legal experts say both men could face criminal charges, and Ah Loo’s family is likely to pursue civil action. The case may also prompt legislative scrutiny of firearms at protests and the role of volunteer security teams — questions that extend far beyond a single tragic evening in Salt Lake City.
As the investigation continues, one question remains unanswered: In a crowd of 10,000 people exercising their constitutional rights, who bears the ultimate responsibility when a bullet meant for one person takes the life of another?