SALT LAKE CITY — One year after Arthur "Afa" Ah Loo was shot and killed while attending a "No Kings" protest in downtown Salt Lake City, his family continues to seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit filed in the Third Judicial District Court of Utah.
The lawsuit, Civil Case No. 26-0901794, names event organizers, Salt Lake City law enforcement, and the city as defendants. The family alleges that the shooting was foreseeable and preventable, and that the defendants' actions or inactions contributed to Ah Loo's death.
On June 14, 2025, Ah Loo was recording the "No Kings" rally, which was organized by the Utah 50501 chapter. According to the complaint, the organizers encouraged "peacekeeping" volunteers to be armed. During the protest, a self-appointed peacekeeper fired three shots at an individual who was legally open-carrying a rifle, believing that person posed a threat. One of those bullets struck Ah Loo in the head, killing him.
Jim McConkie of Parker & McConkie, the law firm representing the Ah Loo family, stated, "This tragedy was foreseeable and preventable. The organizers created the conditions for it and must be held accountable."
Ah Loo's death was recently highlighted in The New York Times, which detailed how rogue decision-making by armed individuals at protests can lead to tragic consequences.
The complaint seeks damages for economic losses suffered by Laura Ah Loo and the couple's children, medical and funeral expenses, and general damages for loss of affection and companionship. Additional case information, including photos, video, and pleadings, is available at Parker & McConkie's blog.
The case underscores the risks inherent when armed individuals take on security roles without proper training or authority, and raises questions about the responsibilities of protest organizers and law enforcement in ensuring public safety.
