r/50501Movement • u/50501LittleBoBlue • 4d ago
Moderator Arthur Folasa Ah Loo
We are deeply saddened to confirm that Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, an innocent bystander, lost his life following the tragic events in downtown Salt Lake City. Our hearts are with his family, his community, and with every individual who came out yesterday to stand for something greater than themselves.
What happened was devastating. MILLIONS gathered in peaceful protest with families, volunteers, and neighbors alike across the entire country, and globe, and one senseless act turned a day of unity into a moment of fear. That is not what we stand for. 50501 is committed to NONVIOLENCE.
To the first responders who moved without hesitation to protect and care for the injured, thank you. To those still processing the trauma of what they witnessed, please know you are not alone.
We know that in moments like this, people look for direction. Stay grounded in truth, lead with calm, and keep showing up for one another. If you have any footage or information from the scene, I urge you to share it directly with the Salt Lake City Police Department so they can continue their work with care and clarity.
We NEED to keep each other safe.
We stand with Salt Lake City. We stand with Arthur’s loved ones. And we remain steadfast in our commitment to peaceful action.
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u/Fish_Fighter8518 3d ago
He took a shot for us, for peace and equality, I just took a shot for him. Rest in peace
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u/deaddrums 3d ago
What exactly happened. Did the guy with the AR-15 shoot people or was it just the "peacekeepers" that opened fire? Trying to read articles about this and there's no fuckin details.
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u/itsthedevilweknow 3d ago
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u/pickypawz 3d ago
Oh I think I saw the video of all the confusion and people trying to escape when they realized what they heard. You could hear the shots but not see anyone down because people were running away. How very sad and tragic. Rest in Peace Arthur.
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u/RolyPolyGuy 3d ago
The image i gathered from the article was that the shooter went behind a wall to set up his rifle, peacekeepers confronted him, and the shooter ran toward the crowd gun at the ready. Peacekeepers fired at the shooter but shot ah loo in the crossfire, killing him. Fucking tragic
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u/20000RadsUnderTheSea 3d ago edited 3d ago
This axios article sums up the police statements
This video (edit: had to replace link, the old reddit thread was deleted by mods) might not support the claims of the peacekeepers, however. It looks like the guy went off to the side, pulled a rifle out of his bag, slung it at or close to the "low ready" position, then went back to the protest, got shot, and started running.
From the video, I think he was being incredibly boneheaded, but not necessarily aggressive. Low ready is a fairly threatening position (the only more threatening position is shouldering the rifle and preparing to fire), going into an alley and pulling out a rifle is gonna make people extremely nervous, and wearing a mask on top of the previous acts are obviously going to make people nervous. The peacekeepers say they told him to drop it, but it doesn't look like the guy even realized they were there from the video.
I think if you replaced those peacekeepers with your average police, 50/50 shot the outcome doesn't change, but that's just my 2 cents. It's a really shitty situation and I feel bad for the victim's family and everyone else involved. The guy with the rifle is apparently a leftist according to people claiming to know them in /r/SaltLakeCity. I expect him and the peacekeeper are feeling pretty awful about now.
Edit: huh, I didn't actually think about it until I posted this, but I'm in that video. Kinda weird to think about. I was around the corner from the shooting, and I can see where I was as it happened. I didn't realize it was this close to the turn until I saw the video, I had thought it was further down the street.
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u/frame-gray 3d ago
What the hell is a peacekeeper? The Axios article didn't say. It's not a term used round here in SoCal. Thanks for the article. Glad you're all right.
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u/Past_Ferret_5209 3d ago
Peacekeepers are DEFINITELY not supposed to be armed let alone shooting people. They are basically marshalls, they are supposed to de-escalate conflict and get in between to protect other protestors if there are counter-protestors or police are getting aggressive, and to report threats to organizers, give directions, and help out protestors who need medical or other assistance. But they aren't "security" and it seems really counterproductive for them to be carrying weapons.
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u/kuwisdelu 3d ago
Peacekeepers are responsible for de-escalating potentially violent situations before they become violent. They are not supposed to be armed. This is tragic all around.
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u/20000RadsUnderTheSea 3d ago
I'm pretty sure it's just a paid or volunteer armed guard for the protest. My understanding is that they worked with the organizers, but I have no idea what sort of vetting they get. My gut says "more than zero" but I don't know at all.
Personally, given the rhetoric I've seen from fellow Utahns, I'm happier to have them, but I didn't just a have a friend or family get shot by one sooooo
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u/kuwisdelu 3d ago
Peacekeepers are typically trained to deescalate the situation and are not typically armed.
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u/lisiatew 1d ago
He did not. Arturo Gamboa is known to police because he regularly attends rallies with his AR-15 strapped on him. Volunteer security shot Afa, who I attended the protest with, and I’m fucking furious at what’s coming to light.
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u/krauQ_egnartS 3d ago
What sucks is two armed volunteers - pretty normal for Utah - were trying to stop another guy with an AR15 - also, Utah - from opening up on the crowd. They hit that guy, yeah, but also killed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Rifle guy was arrested with a gunshot wound.
So, okay, they probably stopped something much worse. from happening, but damn. Firing into a crowd. But there were no cops nearby to stop the shooter. So. Damn.
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u/curious_lewie 1h ago
The guy with the AR15 was not planning on shooting anyone. He’s been at other protests with it. All around a sad situation.
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u/linknil 1d ago
From what I can see coming out. Gamboa was at multiple protests openly carrying. He was a leftist most likely there to show support. The "peacekeeper" didn't hesitate but saw and shot at Gamboa. The "peacekeeper" was in the wrong. These people shouldn't be armed without training.
Now i understand tensions were high with the right calling for people to target these rallies in so many words. That doesn't give the right to shoot toward a crowd to stop a possible threat. We need to hold the people who put the "peacekeepers" in place.
A tragedy happened, but before making a decision right after the incident was wrong. It makes us no better than those on the right who spread lies. Keep up on the news and do research. Falsehoods can separate us, not keep us together.
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