Safety volunteer charged in fatal shooting of ‘No Kings’ protester in Utah | US news

A security volunteer accused of fatally shooting a man attending the June No Kings protest in Salt Lake City while he was shooting at another gunman he believed was a threat has been arrested. charged with manslaughter on Wednesday.

Matthew Scott Alder, 43, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. Alder opened fire during the protest on June 14 after seeing another man named Arturo Gamboa carrying a rifle. Alder told investigators he believed Gamboa, 24, was going to commit a mass shooting, so he fired three shots, wounding Gamboa but killing Arthur “Afa” Ah Loo, who was at the scene. Ah Loo was recording video of protesters on the street when he was fatally shot.

“While you have the right to use deadly force, that does not mean that lethal force can be used recklessly,” said Salt Lake district attorney Sim Gill. he told reporters On Wednesday, a lengthy explanation of the process that led to the charges was released.

Alder was not initially arrested on the day of the protest. However, the police arrested Gamboa and kept him in jail for a week, although he was not charged with any crime. Gamboa’s lawyer said his client’s gun was not loaded and was pointing downwards when he was shot.

The district attorney confirmed that no charges would be filed against Gamboa, citing a Utah state law that allows individuals to carry guns in public spaces.

Although he was mistaken for an attacker by a security volunteer, Gamboa had previously participated in many public protests and brought his AR-15-style rifle to at least a dozen events over the years, including 2020 protests against police brutality. Salt Lake Tribune report. Gamboa’s friend and former roommate told the Tribune that Gamboa carried the gun not only for his own protection, but also to protect other protesters in case counterprotesters arrived.

Ah Loo’s widow, Laura Ah Loo, said at a news conference that the district attorney’s decision to file criminal charges against Alder was “an important first step in the right direction.” [to] It will set a precedent that I hope will lead to a safer environment for public gatherings in the future.”

If convicted, Alder faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.