Amid the reverberations of gunfire at a 'No Kings' protest and the vibrant festivities of WestFest, Salt Lake County finds itself cloaked in grimness. District Attorney Sim Gill is urging patience as investigations into the tragic weekend shootings, which left four dead and two injured across two separate events, unfold. As described by ABC4, the first incident erupted amidst protest chants in downtown Salt Lake City, while the second marred the atmosphere of a local city festival.
Details are slowly coming to light as officials piece together the actions leading up to the bloodshed. In the case of the 'No Kings' protest shooting, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd has shared through an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune, that an alleged shooter, and a so-called "peacekeeper" at the protest, confronted the victim, identified as Gamboa, after he supposedly exhibited suspicious behavior with a firearm.
Moreover, reflections on the legal implications of the protest incident are surfacing. DA Gil's office, while addressing the community's outcry for justice, suggests that determining criminal negligence isn't so black and white. As obtained by KUTV, Tokson noted, "As of right now, the police probably feel that person didn’t do anything criminally blameworthy," alluding to the individual who discharged their weapon possibly in reaction to the perceived threat posed by Gamboa.
