Overview
- Matthew Alder was charged with second-degree felony manslaughter after firing three shots at the June 14 protest, wounding Arturo Gamboa and fatally striking bystander Arthur “Afa” Folasa Ah Loo.
- District Attorney Sim Gill said the case centers on a shot prosecutors argue was reckless, describing the third bullet as the one believed to have killed Ah Loo.
- Gamboa will not face charges because his possession of the AR-style rifle was lawful under Utah’s open-carry rules, though investigators later found three loaded magazines and video showed him fleeing without a magazine inserted.
- A second armed volunteer told investigators he did not fire because he lacked a safe shot, and court records note the event’s safety team carried firearms without apparent formal training.
- Alder has been served a summons and is cooperating; he was a hired volunteer for organizer SLC 50501, not law enforcement, and the event permit did not disclose organized or armed security.