A bloody weekend at big events in the Salt Lake Valley is pushing some upcoming festivals to change their security plans.
After a deadly weekend at big events in the Salt Lake Valley, other festival organizers are changing plans for security at their events.
A bloody weekend at big events in the Salt Lake Valley is pushing some upcoming festivals to change their security plans.
The new measures come after three people — 18-year-old Hassan Lugundi, 41-year-old Fnu Reena and 8-month-old Anderson Garcia Cabrera Jr. — were killed in a shooting at West Valley City’s WestFest and 39-year-old fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo died after being shot at the “No Kings” demonstration in Salt Lake City.
“Our hearts are breaking for our friends and colleagues to the northwest,” Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson said in a news release Tuesday, referring to the violence at WestFest. “As neighbors, we share in the community’s grief. We are saddened that this tragedy happened at their own city festival that, like ours, is meant to be a community celebration, and we remain deeply committed to ensuring Taylorsville Dayzz remains a joyous, secure experience for all.”
The shootings on June 14 and 15 are still under investigation and no charges have been filed as investigators continue gathering evidence. The violence that killed at least three innocent bystanders, police say, has sparked concerns about security at other summer festivals and events, like Taylorsville Dayzz. Many municipalities host their own versions of WestFest and Salt Lake City acts as a hub for one-off specialty events, like the Utah Arts Festival, throughout the summer.
West Valley City spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku has characterized security at WestFest as “extensive” in press briefings after the shooting.
“We had an extensive police presence there, just simply because of the size of the event,” she said. “In fact, this shooting took place maybe 100 yards from our police mobile command post.”
Seconds after the 16-year-old male suspect started firing, he was wrestled down by two West Valley City police officers who were working the festival, she said. Municipal officials have not said how many officers were at the carnival when the shooting happened. The company running the rides estimated there were about 1,000 to 2,000 people at the festival when shots rang out.
WestFest did not feature metal detectors. In response to questions about security measures, Vainuku said the city “is always evaluating and reevaluating” its plans to do “the best that we possibly can” to make the event secure, but did not elaborate on specific measures it could put in place in the future.
The Utah Arts Festival, which starts Thursday and runs through the weekend at Library and Washington Squares, will be gated and attendees will be scanned by handheld metal detectors upon entrance.
“As a ticketed and gated event, all people who enter the festival grounds are screened and monitored,” spokesperson Katie Eldridge wrote in a statement. “In light of recent events in the area, the festival will be implementing enhanced security measures to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Other heightened security arrangements include increasing the number of safety personnel on-site and bag checks at festival entrances.
Taylorsville is also making changes to its Taylorsville Dayzz celebration due to run June 26-28. The carnival’s adult rides will close at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, instead of 11 p.m. and 10 p.m., respectively. The shooting at WestFest happened around 9:15 p.m.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) People leave Centennial Park as law enforcement investigate after a reported shooting at WestFest in West Valley City, Sunday, June 15, 2025.
The municipality is also adding more lighting throughout the site at Valley Regional Park, stretching out the festival’s footprint to reduce crowd congestion and dispatching more police officers to the celebration.
Taylorsville City Council members also recently unanimously passed an ordinance allowing officers to disperse known gang members from the festival if they’re loitering with other members.
“While it is impossible to plan for every contingency, we believe these additional security measures and adjustments will help provide a safe environment for Taylorsville Dayzz,” said Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam. “Our officers will be present, visible and ready to respond so that families can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind. The safety of our residents and visitors is always our top priority.”
Prosecutors are still wading through evidence as they weigh charges in the death of Ah Loo at the “No Kings” protest Saturday. Ah Loo was an innocent bystander killed by a “safety volunteer” who police said was targeting 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who was allegedly seen raising a rifle and running toward the crowd.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill is still in the process of making a determination of what type of charges to fill in response to the WestFest shooting, too. Court documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune show the 16-year-old suspect, while being interviewed in a graffiti case last year, said he was a member of a gang.
The parents of Garcia Cabrera Jr. have also started a GoFundMe to raise money for the costs of transporting their baby boy to be buried in his parents’ homeland of Guatemala.
They called Sunday “the most heartbreaking night of our lives” and said he was taken from them “in the crossfire of senseless gun violence.”
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