The air in downtown Salt Lake City on June 14, 2025, was heavy, but not just from the summer heat. About 10,000 people had flooded the streets for the "No Kings" march. It was loud. It was peaceful. Until it wasn't. Around 8:00 p.m., the sound of gunfire near 151 South State Street changed everything.
People scrambled. You've seen the videos—hundreds of protesters diving behind concrete barriers or sprinting into parking garages. In the middle of that chaos, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former Project Runway contestant named Arthur "Afa" Ah Loo was hit. He didn't survive.
But the "shooting salt lake city protest" headlines that followed didn't just tell a story of a lone gunman. They told a messy, complicated tale of "peacekeepers," an AR-15, and a tragedy that probably didn't need to happen.
The Man in the Black Mask
The guy everyone was looking for was Arturo Gamboa. He’s 24. That night, he was allegedly dressed in all-black clothing with a mask covering his face. According to police reports and witness statements, Gamboa separated himself from the main crowd and ducked behind a wall near 100 South.
Two men wearing high-visibility neon green vests—self-described peacekeepers—saw him. They thought he was acting suspicious. They weren't wrong about the "suspicious" part; police say Gamboa pulled an AR-15-style rifle out of a backpack and started "manipulating" it.
When the peacekeepers confronted him with their own handguns drawn, things went south fast.
Witnesses said Gamboa didn't drop the rifle. Instead, he reportedly raised it into a firing position and started running toward the massive crowd on State Street. That's when one of the peacekeepers pulled the trigger. Three shots. One hit Gamboa in the stomach. Another hit Afa Ah Loo.
The "Peacekeeper" Problem
Honestly, this is where the legal and ethical lines get really blurry. These peacekeepers weren't cops. They weren't even hired security in the traditional sense. They were volunteers.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd confirmed early on that the shooter was cooperating, but for months, the public didn't even have a name. It wasn't until December 2025 that Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill finally announced charges. The shooter was identified as Matthew Alder.
He’s now facing a second-degree felony manslaughter charge.
The big question that’s been haunting the community: Was it a "good" shot?
- The Pro-Peacekeeper View: They stopped a potential mass shooter. Gamboa had a rifle, a gas mask, and was running toward 10,000 people.
- The Prosecution’s View: Firing into a crowd—or even toward one—is inherently reckless.
- The Reality: An innocent man is dead because of a bullet meant for someone else.
A History of Tension
It’s easy to think this was a one-off event, but Salt Lake City has a weird, tense history with weapons at protests. Remember 2020? You probably saw the "bow and arrow guy," Brandon McCormick. He drove his car into a crowd, yelled at people, and then pulled a compound bow on protesters.
He didn't fire. He got tackled and his car was flipped and torched.
Then there was the Provo shooting during that same era where a protester actually shot a driver. Salt Lake has been a powder keg for a while, and the June 2025 shooting was the explosion everyone feared.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Gamboa opened fire first. He didn't. Police confirmed he never actually fired a round. Does that make him less dangerous? Not necessarily, but it changes the legal landscape of the "shooting salt lake city protest" narrative.
Gamboa was initially booked for murder under "depraved indifference." The logic was that his actions—bringing a rifle and running at a crowd—created the situation that led to Ah Loo's death.
But wait. He was actually released from jail just days after the shooting because prosecutors couldn't decide on charges in time. It was a mess.
Why This Still Matters in 2026
We’re now months removed, and the ripples are still felt. We’ve seen the "No Kings" protests return to the Capitol, but the vibe is different. There are more masks, but also more fear.
The death of Afa Ah Loo wasn't just a "wrong place, wrong time" thing. It was a failure of the "volunteer security" model that has become so popular at large-scale demonstrations. When you have civilians with guns trying to play cop in a crowd of 10,000, the margin for error is zero.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re heading to a protest in Salt Lake City or anywhere else, the landscape has changed.
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- Know the Organizers: Before you show up, check who is providing security. Is it a professional firm or just guys in vests?
- Situational Awareness: If you see "peacekeepers" or anyone else manipulating a weapon, move. Don't wait to see what happens.
- Support the Family: The Ah Loo family has been vocal about wanting justice, not just for the shooting, but for better regulations on who gets to claim the "peacekeeper" title.
The court case against Matthew Alder is expected to be one of the most-watched trials in Utah this year. It will likely set the precedent for how "good Samaritans" are treated when their intervention turns fatal.
Keep an eye on the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s updates. The legal fallout of the shooting salt lake city protest is far from over.
Actionable Insights:
- Monitor the trial of Matthew Alder (slated for mid-2026) to understand how Utah law views "peacekeeper" intervention.
- Review local municipal codes regarding "armed security" at permitted events; many cities are currently debating new restrictions on non-professional security.
- If attending a large-scale event, identify "hard cover" (brick walls, engine blocks) rather than "concealment" (bushes, plywood) in case of sudden violence.