Fact Check: "Salt Lake City Police recovered an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack at the scene of the shooting during the protest."
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, and injuries to the shooter, Arturo Gamboa. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD), officers responding to the scene found an AR-15-style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack in close proximity to Gamboa. Witnesses reported that Gamboa was seen handling the rifle before he was confronted by peacekeepers at the event, who attempted to intervene as he moved toward the crowd with the weapon in a firing position (New York Times, AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Salt Lake City Police recovered an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The SLCPD's official update explicitly confirms the recovery of these items at the scene (SLCPD). Additionally, the New York Times and AP News corroborate this information, detailing the events leading up to the shooting and the subsequent police response.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include direct statements from law enforcement and are well-established news organizations. The SLCPD's report is particularly authoritative, as it comes from the police department directly involved in the investigation. The incident has also been covered by other reputable outlets, such as ABC News and Fox 13, which further confirms the details surrounding the recovery of the rifle and other items.
While there may be varying interpretations of the events and the motivations behind Gamboa's actions, the factual elements regarding the recovery of the rifle, gas mask, and backpack are consistent across these reports. No credible sources dispute the presence of these items at the scene.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Salt Lake City Police recovered an AR-15 style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack at the scene of the shooting during the protest is accurate. This is supported by multiple reliable sources, including the SLCPD's own statements and reports from established news organizations.
Sources
- SLCPD Provides Update on Downtown Shooting Investigation
- 1 Killed in Shooting at 'No Kings' Protest in Salt Lake City
- No Kings bystander shot and killed in Salt Lake City | AP News
- Witnesses share harrowing experience of deadly shooting during Salt Lake City protest
- Protester shot and killed at 'No Kings' rally in Utah, police say
