One Rifle, Three Bullets, One Dead: What Really Happened at the “No Kings” Protest?
United States: A man aligned with a voluntary protest peacekeeping squad, clad in a fluorescent green vest, discharged three bullets from a sidearm during the fervent “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City. His target was Arturo Gamboa, 24, who had menaced the crowd with a rifle.
Tragically, the volley also struck Arthur Folasa Ah Loo—a beloved designer from Samoa—who later succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. Gamboa was apprehended that evening and faces a homicide charge, according to Police Chief Brian Redd.
Authorities remain uncertain about Gamboa’s motives or why he distanced himself from the crowd and peacekeepers before arming himself. Detectives hold him accountable for setting off the deadly chain of events that ended Ah Loo’s life.
Ah Loo, known affectionately as “Afa,” was not just a father and spouse but a cultural artisan. His label, Creative Pacific, gave voice to Polynesian artistry through workshops and fashion showcases. He had also gained recognition on Season 17 of Project Runway.