Volunteer ‘peacekeeper’ shot ‘No Kings’ attendee dead at the last protest

Progressive watchdog group Public Citizen says the aim of the ‘No to Kings’ demonstrations is to defend democracy and protest what organizers call the ‘overuse of executive power’.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert dismissed suggestions that the movement had turned violent, saying the goal was to send a message of unity rather than conflict.

“The idea that America is a democracy is essentially micro-democratic. [the] Democrat [party]; not so [the] Republican [party]”It’s the idea that we have a system of checks and balances where we understand that elected officials are accountable to us. And that our votes count and matter.”

“This is essentially [“No Kings”] That’s what it’s all about. And why do people show up?”

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Nationwide protests, local violence

While most of the June 14 “No Kings” demonstrations were peaceful, a handful turned violent, resulting in numerous arrests and at least one death. Organizers say about 2,500 rallies are planned across the country this Saturday.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, an innocent bystander and fashion designer who appeared on “Project Runway,” was shot and killed at the “No Kings” rally in Salt Lake City on June 14. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said the fashion designer was not the “intended target.”

Samoan designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who appeared on “Project Runway,” was shot and killed during the “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Afa Ah Loo via Instagram)

Redd said the 39-year-old father of two was accidentally shot by a peacekeeper in a neon vest who opened fire after a suspect identified as Arturo Gamboa, 24, ran toward the crowd with a rifle.

Austin, Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the arrests of nine people during the “No Kings” protests in Austin on June 14. The march began at the Texas State Capitol before moving to downtown Austin when the Capitol closed that evening, according to the department. DPS worked with Austin Police Department officers during the response.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested the following individuals, all of whom were booked into the Travis County Jail: Andrew Joseph Alemao, 37, for interfering with public duties; Dorian Gray (19), for aggravated graffiti; Daymon Micah Grubbs, 19, for disobeying a police officer; Christian Deun Johnson, 24, for disobeying a police officer, presenting false identification and evading arrest; Henry T. Johnson, 23, for obstructing a crossing; Francisco Limon Juarez (31), for trespassing; Tyrone Germane Stafford (44), for possession of marijuana; Brendan William Talbert, 24, for walking on a sidewalk where sidewalks are provided, aggravated assault on a peace officer, evading arrest and resisting arrest; and Esala Wueschner, 33, were arrested on criminal charges. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Riverside, California

Two people have been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash at a “No to Kings” protest in Southern California on June 14 that left 21-year-old Alexa Carrasco seriously injured, authorities said.

According to investigators, the driver of the SUV turned toward the marchers in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, and struck the woman. The Riverside Police Department said Carrasco was in critical condition.

Russell Alan Prentice, 58, of Riverside, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident related to “No Kings Day” on June 16, 2025, in Riverside, California. (Riverside Police Department)

Russell Alan Prentice, 58, was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of hit-and-run causing bodily injury and a special allegation of causing great bodily injury to the victim.

Ocala, Florida

Three people, two men and a woman, were arrested during the “No to Kings” demonstrations in Ocala on June 14, according to the Ocala Police Department.

The three people detained in Ocala were identified as Stephen Libardoni, 60, who was arrested on battery charges for allegedly pushing a protester; Michael Loren, 47, who was arrested for battery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after police said he pushed a protester while wearing brass knuckles; and Alexandra Krolman, 35, who was arrested on charges of battery for allegedly hitting someone with a cardboard sign. (WOFL-TV/FOX 35)

Those detained were identified as 60-year-old Stephen Libardoni, who was arrested on assault charges for allegedly pushing a protester; Michael Loren, 47, who was arrested for battery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after police said he pushed a protester while wearing brass knuckles; and Alexandra Krolman, 35, who was arrested on charges of battery for allegedly hitting someone with a cardboard sign.

Culpeper, Virginia

Joseph R. Checklick Jr., 21, was arrested in Culpeper, Virginia, for allegedly driving his SUV into a crowd of “No King” protesters on June 14, authorities said.

According to the Culpeper Police Department, the incident occurred when demonstrators dispersed and crossed a business parking lot near 801 James Madison Highway. Police said Checklick’s “vehicle deliberately accelerated toward the dispersing crowd” and struck at least one person.

The Culpeper Police Department arrested and charged Joseph Checklick Jr. with reckless driving. (Culpeper Police Department)

No injuries were reported to law enforcement at the time of the arrest, and the identity of the person shot was not released. Checklick was charged with reckless driving and later released on $4,000 bail.

‘No to Kings’ leaders defend protest safety efforts

While Gilbert said organizers “can’t control every single person,” he argued that Public Citizen provides safety training and guidance.

“We cannot allow the militarization they have brought to intimidate us. We must be willing to stand up; silence is not an option,” he said. “So participating in peaceful protests is our First Amendment right, and that’s what we plan to do. We’re taking precautions to make sure our events are as safe as possible. Of course, you can’t control every single person, but we’re conducting training.” [sessions] and we protect people any way we can.”

“But at their core, these events are peaceful, and that’s the point. The violence doesn’t come from ‘No Kings’ events; the violence comes from militarized crackdowns and masked agents roaming our streets to terrorize communities. It doesn’t come from protesters.”

A parade participant carries a poster that reads “Say No to Kings” during the 2025 New York City Pride Parade on June 29, 2025 in New York City. (Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)

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But even as these events challenge the “peaceful” framework, a different variable emerges: the possibility of paid agitators or outside provocateurs. Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, warned that “No Kings” is vulnerable to such infiltrations.

Swart told Fox News Digital that demonstrations are often favored by groups “making money from chaos” and not by movements based on personal beliefs.

“My concern is that there are forces, some domestic and some foreign, that want to tear America apart,” he said.

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Swart’s company denied participating in “No Kings”, calling it a “debacle in the making” but stressed that the protests could resemble legitimate grassroots events while harboring covert provocateurs.

Organizers like Gilbert defend their approach: They say they use threat monitoring, online vetting, volunteer security teams, nonviolence training and coordination to flag suspicious behavior.

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Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.