Safety volunteer charged with manslaughter for fatal shooting of ‘No Kings’ protester in Utah
The first “No Kings” protests took place on June 14 across the US against the Donald Trump administration’s perceived authoritarian and anti-democratic actions.
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was shot at while the safety volunteer opened fire at another man he believed to be a potential mass shooter. (Photo: AP)
A safety volunteer has been charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting a man taking part in a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City in Utah, in June. The accused, Matthew Alder, fatally shot Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a rally participant, while firing at another man he believed to be a potential mass shooter.
No Kings protester accidently shot dead
According to prosecutors, Alder fired three shots — one hitting a man who had been seen assembling an AR-15 rifle near the crowd and a third inadvertently killing Ah Loo.
Ah Loo, known as Afa, was a successful fashion designer. (Photo: Facebook/ Arthur Folasa Ah Loo)
While Alder had a right to use lethal force to stop a perceived threat and a right to carry a gun under Utah law, his third shot, fired over people’s heads at a large gathering, was reckless and constituted a crime, The Associated Press, quoting Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, reported.
“In this case, our argument is that the third bullet was reckless and, if it is reckless, it is manslaughter,” Gill said.
What accused said
He noted that another safety volunteer with Alder did not think it was safe to open fire at the time because the man with the rifle was moving toward the crowd.
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Alder told investigators that he fired at the gunman, Arturo Gamboa, after he began moving toward the crowd and did not respond when he yelled at the man to stop, according to court documents.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill speaks at a press conference about manslaughter charges filed against Matt Alder for the fatal shooting of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. (Kristin Murphy/The Deseret News via AP)
He told detectives that Gamboa’s behaviour “scared the hell out of me,” the document said.
Who was Arthur Folasa Ah Loo
Ah Loo, known as Afa, was a successful fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands.
His widow, Laura Ah Loo, who has demanded accountability for her husband’s death, said Gill’s decision to charge Alder was “moral and just.”
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“The grief of losing him has been profound and overwhelming,” Laura told AP.
Laura Ah Loo, widow of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, listens during a press conference about manslaughter charges have been filed against Matt Alder for the fatal shooting of Ah Loo. (Kristin Murphy/The Deseret News via AP)
Gamboa was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo’s death, police said at the time.
But according to Gill, Gamboa would not be charged as there was not enough evidence to show he had broken any law, even though his actions could “reasonably be perceived as alarming and irresponsible.”
The first “No Kings” protests took place on June 14 across the US against the Donald Trump administration’s perceived authoritarian and anti-democratic actions.
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Another nationwide “No Kings” protest happened on October 18, 2025, in which around seven million people participated in demonstrations in 2,700 locations across the United States.
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Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was shot at while the safety volunteer opened fire at another man he believed to be a potential mass shooter. (Photo: AP) 
