Utah police investigate ‘peacekeeper’ from leftist ‘No Kings’ organizing group who shot, killed fashion designer during protest

During the Salt Lake City "No Kings" protest on Saturday, police said that an individual who was designated as a "peacekeeper" with the left-wing activist group 50501 fired a weapon, killing 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. The shooting took place after two men described as "peacekeepers" with the left-wing activist group confronted Arturo Gamboa, who was carrying a rifle at the event.

Gamboa, 24, pushed Antifa views online and is a self-described anti-government radical and has previously said that justice should be reached “by any means necessary."

The shot fired by the leftist activist grazed Gamboa, but another shot killed Ah Loo, who was a "Project Runway" fashion designer. He leaves behind his wife and two children.

Leftist group Utah 50501 told KSL that the leftist activist, who they called a "peacekeeper" and who fired the shots, was a volunteer with the group as well as a military veteran.

"Our team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed that there was an imminent threat to protestors and took action,” the group said.

According to police documents, the "peacekeeper" told law enforcement that he saw Gamboa “move away from the main crowd into a secluded area behind a wall." He added in his statement to police that the suspect began to "manipulate" the AR-15.

The activist then told officers he “called out to him to drop the gun after drawing their own firearms.”

“[Gamboa] then lifted the rifle, and according to witnesses he began to run toward the large crowd gathered on State Street holding the rifle in a firing position," the affidavit added. When that occurred, the activist shot three times at Gamboa and one round hit Ah Loo, who died from the injury.

“The peacekeepers then attempted to provide medical aid to the victim, who was pronounced dead at the hospital,” the affidavit added. “Arturo Gamboa was acting under circumstances evidencing a depraved indifference to human life, and knowingly engages in conduct that creates a grave risk of death to another individual and thereby causes the death of the other individual."

The Utah chapter of the left-wing activist group 50501, which also organized the nationwide "No Kings" protests, said that its team was “directly involved” with the shooting that took place in a post to Facebook.

“Thank you to all the outpouring of support for the victim's family and asking for a vigil--several groups are currently working together to make that happen,” the group said. “To everyone else upset that our statement disclosed the death that no other outlet has reported on, here's why: our team was directly involved.”

The group added that those criticizing the group online were being “nasty and accusatory” and then went onto say that the team had to “deal with something extremely traumatizing and when faced with personal risk to their own lives, chose to run towards the danger in order to serve this community.”

The activist group also has a guidebook for its “peacekeepers” online, which says it it “rooted in the belief that nonviolent discipline is not just a tactic — it’s a strategy for resilience.”

The handbook instructs “peacekeepers” in their responsibilities as well, such as standing in the way of cars at protests with “arms outstretched” as well as if there are guns around to “avoid any sudden moves that might increase tension or provoke violence” and that “peacekeepers” are not “expected to confront of disarm someone with a weapon” even though some have done so in “dire situations.”

Other tips for de-escalating a situation when someone has a gun is to “talk calmly to the shooter and tell them you’re not the enemy.” It also adds details to help illegal immigrants to avoid getting arrested.

The Salt Lake Police have said they will be looking into the “peacekeeper” role. “The SLCPD will be learning more, through its investigation, about the event staffing during this event, including the roles, responsibilities, and terminology of individuals who may have been assisting during the event,” law enforcement stated.

The “peacekeeper” role, Salt Lake City Police spokesperson Brent Weisberg said, does not “represent any formal designation recognized by the Salt Lake City Police Department or the City.” Charges have not been filed against the leftist activist who fire the rounds.