Two days after a bystander was shot and killed by a stray bullet at Saturday’s “No Kings” protest, the Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed it is investigating the role of the “peacekeeper” who fired their weapon at a suspect who faces murder charges.
On Monday, police also shared that the “peacekeeper” who fired their weapon, killing 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, is not a law enforcement officer or associated with the department. The department said it is not aware of whether the “peacekeeper” was hired by protest organizers or was a volunteer, or acted on their own initiative.
According to a statement from Salt Lake City Police, “there is no record in the event’s permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security.”
Questions remain about the “peacekeepers,” who are usually volunteers tasked by a group organizing a protest with keeping everyone safe and de-escalating conflicts, so the focus remains on the political purpose of a protest.
The “peacekeeper” term itself is not recognized as a formal designation of any role by the Salt Lake City Police, and those who served in support roles at the protest are not “overseen, sanctioned, or trained by the Salt Lake City Police Department.”
Read the full story at Fox13Now.com.
The Salt Lake Tribune and Fox 13 are content-sharing partners.
