National 50501 group disowns Utah chapter after “No Kings” shooting, citing ‘no-weapons policy’

The national 50501 group that has organized “No Kings” protests across the country has disowned a Utah chapter after a shooting at the Salt Lake City protest on Saturday that killed a bystander who was marching in the protest.
“Due to SLC 50501’s disregard for our nonnegotiable values, we are no longer affiliated with them,” the organization said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
The national organizers emphasized that the grassroots 50501 movement is “decentralized,” noting that “each local group is autonomous and they are responsible for their planning.” However, citing a “strict no-weapons policy,” the national organizers said they would no longer recognize the Salt Lake City chapter.
“50501 is rooted in nonviolence, collective care, and principled protest. Every action organization under the 50501 name is expected to uphold a strict no-weapons policy, without exception,” the national organization said. “We hold ourselves and all action associated with our banner to these uncompromising standards.”
Based on information that’s “currently available, it appears” the Salt Lake City chapter “did not meet those standards,” national organizers said.
“The presence of weapons, and any action that endangers lives, stands in direct opposition to the values we uphold,” the national group said. “We feel deep anguish that harm unfolded in a space connected to our name and vision.”
The Utah 50501 group’s organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
According to Salt Lake City police, the shooting happened after two men described as “peacekeepers” confronted another man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was openly carrying an AR-15 style rifle. One of the men, reportedly part of the event’s security team, fired three shots from a handgun, grazing Gamboa but also hitting an “innocent bystander,” Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Shortly after the shooting, police arrested Gamboa, and he was booked into jail for investigation of murder. Police say, however, that Gamboa did not fire his rifle. The two “peacekeepers,” who wore high-visability vests, were initially detained by police, but were released after being questioned. Police said the man who fired the three shots is cooperating with investigators.
The Utah 50501 organizers said in a prepared statement issued earlier this week that the “safety volunteer who responded to the individual (holding the rifle) and who was questioned by police is a military veteran.” They also said that their “team of safety volunteers, who have been selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience, believed that there was an imminent threat to the protesters and took action.”
‘Peacekeeper’ involved in shooting at SLC ‘No Kings’ protest is a military veteran, organizers say
In the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting, unanswered questions remain, including more details of who the “peacekeepers” were and how they were vetted to be acting as armed security during the protest. Questions also remain regarding Gamboa’s intentions and why he brought a rifle to the protest.
As of Friday, Salt Lake County prosecutors had not filed charges against Gamboa or anyone else involved in the shooting. On Thursday, a judge granted the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office more time to determine what charges, if any, should be filed against Gamboa, who remains held in jail with no bail.
The three-day extension now gives prosecutors until 5 p.m. on Monday to file any charges against Gamboa. On Thursday, District Attorney Sim Gill said the extension was sought because his office had not yet received a formal screening of evidence associated with the charge of murder for which Gamboa was booked.
“Detectives continue to interview witnesses and involved parties, as well as review voluminous amounts of surveillance and amateur footage of the incident,” Gill said. “This extension will allow the police to present their evidence at a formal screening scheduled for this Friday and allow the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office sufficient time to review, analyze, and make an informed decision to any allegations of criminal wrongdoing.”
Gill added that he asks “for everyone’s patience.”
“When a person loses their life we are all impacted as a community,” he said. “It is critical that we are thorough, accurate, and faithful to the truth. Arthur Afa Ah Loo’s family and our community of citizens deserve no less.”
2 people shot, including suspect in custody, during ‘No Kings’ protest in Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah is a “constitutional carry” state, meaning its laws allow the open and concealed carrying of firearms without a permit for those who are legally allowed to possess them. In 2021, with HB60, the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature eliminated the state’s concealed carry permit requirements. Now, anyone 21 and over who can legally possess a gun is free to carry it loaded and hidden in public.
Unlike 26 other states, Utah has not adopted a law prohibiting carrying long guns at state capitols or political protests, according to Everytown Research & Policy, an organization that produces research on gun violence and advocates for gun violence prevention. The group has ranked Utah as No. 36 in the country for “gun law strength.”
National 50501 organizers acknowledged in their Facebook post that “while we do permit firearms at 50501 protests, we recognize that Utah law permits the open carry of weapons, and this reality shaped some of the events that unfolded.”
They also acknowledged, however, that “this is an active legal investigation,” and they committed to “amend any misstatements as facts emerge.”
Both the national and Utah chapters of 50501 have expressed devastation for Ah Loo’s death.
“No words can fully capture the depth of sorrow we feel for Afa’s family, friends, and the entire Salt Lake community,” national organizers said in their post Thursday. “We grieve alongside them.”

