Safety Volunteer Charged After Fatal Shooting at No Kings Protest

A safety volunteer who opened fire during a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City has been charged with manslaughter after a stray bullet killed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a peaceful marcher known widely as Afa. Prosecutors say the volunteer, Matthew Scott Alder, believed he was stopping a potential mass shooter but acted recklessly when he fired over the crowd.

Investigators said Alder fired three times toward a man assembling what appeared to be an AR-15-style rifle. One shot struck the armed man, but the third hit Ah Loo in the chest. District Attorney Sim Gill stated that Utah law gives citizens the right to carry and even use deadly force if they fear imminent violence, but the duty to act responsibly does not disappear when others are in harm’s path.

Alder told detectives he yelled for the man to drop the weapon and opened fire only when he saw him moving toward the gathering. He described the moment as terrifying and said he genuinely believed lives were in danger.

Widow Seeks Accountability as Case Moves Forward

Ah Loo was a celebrated designer and a voice for Pacific Islander communities. His widow said the charge reflects justice and honors the life Afa built through creativity, advocacy and fatherhood. “The grief of losing him has been profound and overwhelming,” she said, urging consistent standards for armed civilians who insert themselves into public safety roles.

Utah is an open-carry state, meaning adults who can legally own a firearm may openly carry it in public spaces, including protests. The Utah Department of Public Safety says self-defense laws protect citizens only when their actions are reasonable and not reckless toward bystanders.

The man assembling the rifle, Arturo Roberto Gamboa, was initially arrested but later released. Prosecutors determined his conduct appeared alarming but did not meet the threshold of criminal intent under Utah statutes.

Alder faces a second-degree felony charge and could receive prison time if convicted. The case has intensified debate about whether firearms should be permitted at large-scale political events, especially those fueled by heated national divisions.

The rallies were part of a nationwide movement opposing perceived authoritarianism in government and calling for increased protection of democratic principles.

As legal proceedings unfold, community members continue to advocate for reforms aimed at preventing tragedies when armed volunteers attempt to do the work of trained security.