In the aftermath of the deadly shooting at the "No Kings" protest in downtown Salt Lake City, the national 50501 Movement severed ties with its Salt Lake City organizers for having armed security at the march.
On Saturday evening, an armed safety volunteer - referred to as a "peacekeeper" - spotted Arturo Gamboa openly carrying a rifle. In radio communications, the volunteer can be heard alerting organizers that he had seen someone with a gun before drawing his own weapon and firing. The bullets struck both Gamboa and protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who later died.
Gamboa, who police say did not fire his gun, was booked into jail on suspicion of murder. The Salt Lake County District Attorney announced Thursday that they had been granted a three-day extension to Gamboa's detention while the investigation is ongoing. He will remain in jail until at least Monday.
The national 50501 Movement’s decision Thursday to cut ties with the Salt Lake City branch for going against the movement's strict no weapons policy.
"The presence of weapons, and any action that endangers lives, stands in direct opposition to the values we uphold. We feel deep anguish that harm unfolded in a space connected to our name and vision," the organization wrote in a social media statement.
— 50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 (@50501movement.bsky.social) June 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The organization also walked back an initial (and now deleted) statement that labeled Gamboa as a "domestic terrorist."
As a decentralized movement, local 50501 groups operate autonomously and are responsible for the planning and execution of their own events.
Local organizers said Monday that safety volunteers "were selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience." Sources tell Utah Political Watch that several “peacekeepers” were carrying weapons during Saturday’s protest, though the exact number remains unclear.
The volunteer who allegedly fired the shots that killed Ah Loo and injured Gamboa has not been publicly identified.
