Fact Check: "One victim and one suspect were hospitalized after a shooting during the 'No Kings' protest in downtown Salt Lake City on June 14, 2023."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, a shooting occurred during the "No Kings" protest in downtown Salt Lake City, resulting in the death of a bystander, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who was 39 years old, and injuries to the suspect, Arturo Gamboa, aged 24. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD), Gamboa was shot by peacekeepers at the event after he allegedly brandished an AR-15-style rifle and ran towards the crowd. The police confirmed that Ah Loo was an innocent bystander and not the intended target of the gunfire. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Gamboa was taken into custody and charged with murder (New York Times, AP News).
Analysis
The claim that "one victim and one suspect were hospitalized" is misleading and ultimately false. While it is true that Gamboa was hospitalized, he was not the only individual injured; the claim fails to mention that Ah Loo, the bystander, was fatally shot and did not survive his injuries. The SLCPD's official report clarifies that Gamboa was the shooter and was injured during the confrontation with the peacekeepers, but Ah Loo was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital (CBS News, NBC News).
The sources providing information about the incident, including the SLCPD and reputable news outlets like the New York Times and AP News, are credible and have reported consistent details about the events. The police department's statement provides a thorough account of the incident, including the timeline and the actions taken by law enforcement and peacekeepers, which adds to its reliability ([source-1], [source-2]).
However, the claim's phrasing could lead to confusion regarding the severity of the situation, as it implies both individuals were hospitalized without clarifying that one of them died. This lack of specificity is critical, as it misrepresents the tragic outcome of the event.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "one victim and one suspect were hospitalized" is misleading. While it is true that one suspect was hospitalized, the victim, who was an innocent bystander, did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Thus, the claim does not accurately reflect the events that transpired during the shooting at the "No Kings" protest.
Sources
- SLCPD Provides Update on Downtown Shooting Investigation
- 1 Killed in Shooting at 'No Kings' Protest in Salt Lake City
- Protester shot and killed at 'No Kings' rally in Utah, police say
- 1 wounded in shooting during "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City
- 'Innocent bystander' shot dead by 'peacekeepers' during 'No Kings' protest
- Victim hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after shooting
- No Kings protester dies after Salt Lake City shooting
- One hospitalized after shooting at 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City