Crime
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo killed in shooting at Salt Lake ‘No Kings Day’ event, suspect Arturo Gamboa arrested
Salt Lake City, UT — A protest in downtown Salt Lake City turned deadly Saturday evening when a designated private peacekeeper opened fire after confronting an armed individual, unintentionally killing a bystander.
The suspect, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, a Utah resident with no prior criminal history, has been arrested and charged with murder.
According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, the incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. near 100 South and 200 East during a “No Kings Day” demonstration.
Officers from the department’s Motor Squad were on duty nearby when they heard gunfire. Responding officers arrived on the scene and found 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo lying on the ground with a gunshot wound.
Despite emergency aid from SWAT medics and paramedics, Ah Loo was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Gamboa, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, was observed by two individuals believed to be private armed security assigned to monitor the protest.
Witnesses reported that Gamboa had separated himself from the crowd and concealed himself briefly behind a wall before emerging with the weapon.
Gamboa then raised the rifle into a firing position and began moving toward the crowd.
One of the peacekeepers, fearing an imminent threat, fired three rounds from a handgun.
One round struck Gamboa in the left side of his abdomen, and another tragically hit Ah Loo, an uninvolved and peaceful protest participant.
Gamboa, though wounded, attempted to flee by blending back into the crowd. Bystanders quickly pointed him out to police officers, who arrested him without further incident.
During his apprehension, officers recovered the AR-15-style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack in Gamboa’s possession.
Investigators later confirmed that Gamboa never fired his weapon.
All shots were discharged by the security personnel. However, under Utah law — consistent with legal principles in many jurisdictions — an individual can be charged with murder if their criminal actions create circumstances that directly result in someone’s death.
Salt Lake City Police are actively working with the District Attorney’s Office to review the case and determine if further charges will be pursued.
The police department has not commented on whether prior tips about a man carrying an assault-style weapon inside a local Maverik convenience store, as mentioned in witness Facebook videos, are substantiated.
The incident remains under thorough investigation.
Authorities have asked anyone with video or information related to the shooting to contact law enforcement.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.