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Manslaughter Charges Filed in Fatal “No Kings” Protest Shooting
Salt Lake City, UT – Prosecutors announced Wednesday that a safety volunteer has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of a man participating in a “No Kings” protest last June. Matthew Alder is accused of recklessly firing a shot that killed rally participant Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, while aiming at another man he believed to be a potential mass shooter.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill detailed the “very nuanced and complex” facts of the case during a news conference, highlighting the intricacies of Utah’s gun laws. According to Gill, Alder fired three shots.
One round struck a man, identified as Arturo Roberto Gamboa, who had been observed assembling an AR-15 rifle near the crowd. A third shot, however, inadvertently killed Ah Loo.
Gill explained that his office initially sought a grand jury from a panel of five judges, a protocol in Utah for bringing charges, but the request was denied in early November. Despite this setback, Gill stated that a similar case in Massachusetts ultimately guided his office’s decision to move forward with charges.
While acknowledging Alder’s right to use lethal force against a perceived threat and his right to carry a firearm under Utah law, Gill emphasized that the third shot, fired over the heads of a large gathering, was reckless and constitutes a crime. “In this case our argument is that the third bullet was reckless and, if it is reckless, it is manslaughter,” Gill stated. He further noted that another safety volunteer present with Alder did not believe it was safe to open fire at the time, as Gamboa was reportedly moving towards the crowd.
Attempts to reach Alder’s lawyer, Phil Wormdahl, for comment were not immediately successful.
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, affectionately known as Afa, was a celebrated fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant dedicated to promoting Pacific Island artists. His widow, Laura Ah Loo, who has consistently sought accountability for her husband’s death, expressed that Gill’s decision to charge Alder was “moral and just.” Through tears, she described her husband as “an incredible father, advocate, creative and champion for others,” and acknowledged the “profound and overwhelming” grief of his loss.
Utah is an open-carry state, permitting individuals who can legally own a firearm to generally carry it in public.
Arturo Roberto Gamboa, the man seen assembling the rifle, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder, with police at the time suggesting his actions created the dangerous situation leading to Ah Loo’s death. However, Gill confirmed that Gamboa will not face charges. A letter from prosecutors explained that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate Gamboa had broken any law, despite his actions being “reasonably perceived as alarming and irresponsible.”
A message left for Gamboa’s lawyer was not immediately returned. His attorney, Greg Skordas, has previously stated that Gamboa was walking with the rifle unloaded and pointed at the ground before he was shot, and he does not believe Gamboa heard any commands to drop the weapon.
According to Alder’s charging document, Alder told investigators he fired at Gamboa after Gamboa moved towards the crowd and ignored his shouts to stop. Alder reportedly told detectives that Gamboa’s behavior “scared the hell out of me.”
The “No Kings” protests were part of nationwide demonstrations earlier this year opposing the administration of President Donald Trump, citing perceived authoritarian and anti-democratic actions.