An “harmless bystander” on the “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Salt Lake Metropolis was shot and killed Saturday, police stated.
Arthur Folasa Ah Lavatory, 39, of Utah, died in a hospital, Salt Lake Metropolis police stated in an replace.
Detectives consider Ah Lavatory was on the demonstration as a bystander and “was not the supposed goal of the gunfire.”
Police have arrested Arturo Gamboa, 24. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a homicide cost. It was not instantly clear whether or not Gamboa was nonetheless in jail Sunday and whether or not he has an lawyer.
Additionally detained Saturday had been two males who had been a part of the occasion “peacekeeping workforce.” One of many “peacekeepers” fired the shot that fatally injured Ah Lavatory, police stated.
It was not instantly clear whether or not these two males will face prices.
The lads advised police they noticed Gamboa transfer away from the gang and start manipulating an AR-15-style rife, prompting them to attract their weapons and order him to drop the weapon, police stated.
As an alternative, Gamboa bumped into the gang, holding his gun in “a firing place,” police stated. In response, one of many “peacekeepers” fired three photographs, considered one of which struck Gamboa and one other which hit Ah Lavatory, in accordance with police.
Police stated they’re nonetheless investigating, particularly wanting into the actions of the “peacekeepers,” who will not be legislation enforcement officers. Officers nonetheless have no idea why Gamboa pulled out the rifle or why he ran from the “peacekeepers.”
Gamboa didn’t fireplace the shot that fatally struck Ah Lavatory, however he nonetheless faces the homicide cost as a result of detectives “developed possible trigger that Gamboa acted below circumstances that confirmed a wicked indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave threat of dying and finally triggered the dying of an harmless neighborhood member,” police stated.
The state medical expert’s workplace will decide Ah Lavatory’s official trigger and method of dying.
Right this moment, we’re offering new particulars concerning the June 14 taking pictures in the course of the “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Salt Lake Metropolis.
Arthur Folasa Ah Lavatory, 39, was shot and killed whereas attending the permitted occasion. Our detectives consider he was an harmless bystander.
Arturo Gamboa,… pic.twitter.com/xJYlv4r9Bm
— Salt Lake Metropolis Police Division (@slcpd) June 15, 2025
A police motor squad detective reported listening to gunshots at 7:56 p.m. Saturday, police stated. Officers discovered Ah Lavatory injured as they had been working to clear the scene and determine the origin of the gunfire, police stated.
Officers tried to save lots of the person on the scene earlier than he was despatched to the hospital in an ambulance.
Minutes later, police stated, they discovered Gamboa, who was crouching amid a gaggle of individuals and had a gunshot wound himself. He had an AR-15-style weapon close by, police stated.
Officers additionally discovered a gasoline masks, black clothes and a backpack close by, the police division stated.
They then recognized the “peacekeepers” carrying high-visibility neon inexperienced vests and carrying handguns.
The march was considered one of many “No Kings” occasions all through the nation Saturday, a counter to President Donald Trump’s army parade in Washington.
It additionally got here on the heels of days of protests in Los Angeles and different cities throughout the nation following immigration raids.
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