Arturo Gamboa, suspected in the fatal shooting of a Utah teen at a “No Kings” rally, has been released from jail. Teachers and other authorities are now pressing for further investigation. He was initially charged with murder after pointing an assault-style rifle at unarmed protestors. This incident sadly led to the death of demonstrator Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. The incident sparked debate over safety at public protests and the duty of people who openly carry guns.
Gamboa reportedly entered the crowd at the rally with a weapon raised. This move further escalated a volatile and hazardous climate. We know this because witnesses reported that he never fired his rifle. Things really took a turn when safety marshals instructed him to put down the gun. Gamboa decided to escape into the audience rather than submit. This caused a safety volunteer to shoot three shots, which then led to him being shot himself.
After Gamboa’s actions led to Ah Loo’s death, law enforcement arrested him nearby, although he was initially booked into jail without formal charges. His lawyer, Greg Skordas, verified that Gamboa was arrested on suspicion of murder. That said, he underscored the point that at the point Gamboa was freed, no formal charges had ever been brought against him.
As a condition of his release, Gamboa will have to comply with the following terms. He is banned from owning guns and must live with father, Albert Gamboa. Albert raised his concerns about the state of affairs. In his mind, his son was just “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Authorities are examining the circumstances under which Gamboa ran protesters over. The tragic incident has sparked national debates over the need for stricter gun control and public safety at protests. Gun violence prevention advocates are urging tighter restrictions on firearms at these events.
The rally was intentionally planned and permitted as a peaceful protest against what were felt to be grave injustices. Once we added an element of firearms, everything flipped. The shocking result of that confusion has left many in the community wondering how to keep people safe at future protests or assemblies without violating people’s rights.