Police investigating role of ‘peacekeepers’ in fatal shooting at Salt Lake protest

SALT LAKE CITY — As prosecutors consider potential criminal charges against the man whose alleged actions caused the shooting death of another man during Saturday’s “No Kings” protest, the investigation into the so-called “peacekeeper” who actually fired the fatal shot also continues.

Just before 8 p.m. Saturday, as an estimated 10,000 people were marching on State Street, two men who police say were part of a “peacekeeping” group for the rally, spotted Arturo Roberto Gamboa, 24, pull out a rifle and “manipulate” it near 151 S. State.

“Gamboa was then confronted by these two men. Witnesses say Gamboa raised the weapon in a firing position and began running toward the crowd,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said Sunday.

One of the two armed “peacekeepers” fired three rounds. One of those rounds hit Gamboa in the stomach. Another bullet hit and killed Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo, 39, who police say was an innocent bystander.

Salt Lake police spokesman Brent Weisberg said Monday that investigators do not know where the third bullet ended up. After the shots were fired, “the peacekeepers then attempted to provide medical aid to the victim,” according to a police booking affidavit, while Gamboa allegedly attempted to get away.

Gamboa was found “crouching down among a small crowd of people” in an entryway of a building near 100 South and 200 East, the affidavit states. Others who were seeking shelter following the shots pointed Gamboa out to officers. After being treated for his injuries, Gamboa was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of murder.

Police say he was “dressed in all black clothing and a black mask covering his face” before he was arrested, and “was found (to be) in possession of an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask, black clothing and a backpack,” according to the arrest report. Police say Gamboa did not fire any shots.

“Peacekeepers” questioned by police, then let go

The “peacekeepers” were also taken into custody. Their names and ages have not been released. But after being questioned, neither was arrested. Weisberg said, however, that police are still investigating their actions. Once the investigation is completed, detectives will hand over their findings over to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether criminal charges are warranted.

While Salt Lake police were still investigating Monday how the men — who were wearing yellow “high visibility” vests — were designated as “peacekeepers,” including whether they were appointed by protest organizers, volunteered, were hired or were self-appointed.

Weisberg says police have confirmed that the men are not current or former police officers. The investigation will also look to determine how many “peacekeepers” in total were at the rally.

Saturday’s protest was organized by the 50501 movement, a grassroots political group known for organizing rallies and protests nationwide.

Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501, told CNN that volunteer peacekeeping teams are common for protests. She said organizers ask attendees, including the peacekeepers, not to bring weapons. Still, Parker said the two men in Salt Lake City stopped what could have been a larger mass casualty event.

“Our safety team did as best as they could in a situation that is extremely sad and extremely scary,” Parker said.

Weisberg said part of the department’s investigation will look into what kind of training the men had before being appointed or before volunteering as “peacekeepers,” as well as any state laws that may apply to carrying weapons.

Likewise, detectives will also continue to investigate a possible motive for Gamboa’s alleged actions and whether he intended to commit a mass shooting. As of Monday, Weisberg said there was no evidence to suggest that anyone else was working with Gamboa.

A GoFundMe campaign* was started on behalf of Ah Loo’s family. He had a wife and two young children.

Utah state Rep. Verona Mauga, D-Salt Lake County, said Ah Loo was well-known within the Pacific Islander community for breaking into the fashion world.

“Afa is a Samoan fashion designer, the first Samoan to make it on ‘Project Runway,'” she said. “And that was a big deal, to have someone of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage be able to break into the fashion industry, and he’s done amazing work for fabulous people.”

He just recently became an American citizen and voted in his first election last year, Mauga said.

“He was so excited and proud to do that. Afa wanted to be very much a part of what America is and a part of the American dream.”

*KSLNewsRadio does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.