Man shot at 'No Kings' protest speaks out after Alex Pretti’s death

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man who was shot during a 'No Kings' protest in Utah in 2025 is speaking publicly for the first time since the death of protester Alex Pretti, saying the tragedy underscores what he believes is a growing urgency for political action. Arturo Gamboa spent six days in jail after he was shot during the Salt Lake City demonstration on June 14, 2025.  He was carrying an unloaded AR‑15 at the time. A  man hired by event organizers and referred to as a "peacekeeper," investigators later said, was aiming at Gamboa when he instead killed another protester, Arthur Folasa Ah Lo. It took six months before prosecutors confirmed Gamboa would not face charges. Gamboa told KSL he hopes Pretti’s death becomes a catalyst rather than a deterrent. “We are very quickly going to the point of no return,” Gamboa said, reflecting on the months since the shooting. “Sadly, it’s unsurprising,” he said, when asked about Pretti’s killing. Despite the violence, he believes more people should be willing to gather and speak out. “Once a phenomenon hits your living room, then you have more of an understanding of the intensity of it,” said Gamboa.

Lawmakers react at the Capitol

At Utah’s Capitol Hill on Monday, state leaders expressed shock and concern as details surrounding Pretti’s death continued to unfold. “Very sad — oh, just horrible,” said Senate President Stuart Adams when asked about the situation. Other lawmakers offered a broader look at the circumstances, including Rep. Ryan Wilcox who said the tragedy reflects a deeper need for systemic change. “I think there’s probably blame to go all the way around. I think we need a de‑escalation overall,” Wilcox said. Sen. John Curtis, who just a day earlier urged patience, shifted his stance on Monday. He called for an independent investigation and criticized the Department of Homeland Security for what he described as a premature conclusion that the killing was an act of self‑defense. He said he plans to work with a bipartisan group of senators to demand oversight and transparency, including testimony from officials involved in the immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

A life changed, but a message unchanged

Gamboa said his life has been fundamentally altered since the shooting — physically, legally, and emotionally. But his core belief in challenging authority remains intact. "If you dare to struggle, you dare to win. And if you don’t dare to struggle, you don’t deserve to win,” he said. As investigations continue and political pressure mounts, Gamboa hopes the public response to Pretti’s death will spark renewed engagement rather than fear.