SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department have released a statement clarifying the term "peacekeeper" used in reference to people who were seen assisting during the "No Kings" protest and march through downtown.

An estimated 10,000 protesters gathered at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake Saturday, and marched to the Wallace F. Bennet Federal Building at 125 South State Street.

The protest had been peaceful and without incident until a shooting that killed 39-year-old Arthur Folasa "Afa" Ah Loo.

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During a press conference Sunday night, Chief Brian Redd spoke about two men police said saw 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa acting suspicious. They were reportedly part of the protest's safety team.

"These individuals were wearing high-visibility neon vests and were armed - and possibly part of the event's peacekeeping team,"he said.

According to a probable cause statement, the men approached Gamboa.

"Based on early witness statements, these men saw Gamboa separate from the crowd at one point during the march and move behind a wall, where they noticed him pull out a rifle and begin manipulating it," Redd said. "Gamboa was then confronted by these two men."

According to a news release issued by the police department, both men were carrying weapons.

"The peacekeepers drew their firearms and ordered Gamboa to drop the weapon," it read.

"Witnesses say Gamboa raised the weapon in a firing position and then began running toward the crowd," Chief Redd said. "One of the individuals fired three rounds, striking Gamboa and tragically striking the man who later died. "

Chief Redd said there were still many questions to be answered in the investigation.

He was asked about what kind of training was required for the individuals who were acting in a safety capacity for event organizers.

"That is definitely something that will be part of the investigation and we'll learn more in the future," he said.

Redd was also asked if the person who fired the fatal shot faced charges.

"At this point the investigation is continuing. We did not take any action last night on those two individuals. The one that fired is still cooperating. We're working with his attorney," he said.

According to the statement issued Monday, police said one of the men who confronted Gamboa "self-described as a 'peacemaker' during interviews with police."

It was not known if the several individuals along the route of Saturday's march wearing high-visibility neon vests were part of the event, or brought in by rally organizers.

"It remains unclear whether these individuals were hired by or volunteered for the event organizers, or acted on their own initiative," the statement read. "There is no record in the event’s permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security."

Officials said there was no record of either of the two men ever having worked as law enforcement members.

"While the Salt Lake City Police Department was aware that Saturday’s demonstration would include people in support roles, such as those helping to marshal or guide the crowd, these functions are entirely internal to the event. They are not overseen, sanctioned, or trained by the Salt Lake City Police Department," the statement read.

The event organizers, Utah 50501, released a statement just after midnight Sunday about the shooting.

"We are grateful to the SLC first responders and our safety team at the event for their quick response to the shooting, for apprehending the suspect before he could injure more people, and for helping get the protestors to safely clear the area," the statement read. "We condemn the shooter and all violence directed at our peaceful community members in the strongest possible terms."

Full police statement on protest 'Peacekeepers':

The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is providing information regarding the term “peacekeeper” in reference to two people involved in the June 14, 2025, shooting during a demonstration in downtown Salt Lake City. The term was first introduced in an affidavit of probable cause and later appeared in a news release, reflecting how one of the men questioned self-described as a “peacekeeper” during interviews with SLCPD detectives in the early stages of the investigation. 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. The term does not represent any formal designation recognized by the Salt Lake City Police Department or the City.

At this time, it remains unclear whether these individuals were hired by or volunteered for the event organizers, or acted on their own initiative. There is no information, at this time, about whether this is an official term used by the event organizers. There is no record in the event’s permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security. Based on the information currently available to the Salt Lake City Police Department, neither of the men identified as “peacekeepers” are current or former members of law enforcement, including the Salt Lake City Police Department.

While the Salt Lake City Police Department was aware that Saturday’s demonstration would include people in support roles, such as those helping to marshal or guide the crowd, these functions are entirely internal to the event. They are not overseen, sanctioned, or trained by the Salt Lake City Police Department. From the department’s standpoint, these persons are considered members of the public, subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other person in Utah.

While Utah law governs when and how a person may carry and use a firearm, the lawfulness of any individual’s possession or use depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.

The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Public Order Unit and its Police Liaison Officers worked with event organizers prior to and during Saturday’s event to coordinate with the goal of having a peaceful and lawful demonstration. The Salt Lake City Police Department does not direct or manage security roles and responsibilities unless that requirement is outlined in the event’s approved permit, of which it was not.

This case remains under investigation. The Salt Lake City Police Department’s homicide detectives will continue work closely with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office to evaluate the individual actions of those involved. Our detectives are focused on determining the full sequence of events and whether the use of deadly force was lawful under Utah state law.

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