Volunteer 'Peacekeeper' to Stand Trial for Killing Bystander Over Legal Gun Carry

A volunteer "peacekeeper" at last year's Salt Lake City "No Kings" protest is headed to trial for manslaughter after shooting through a crowd at a legally armed bystander and killing an innocent man instead.

The short version

At the June 14, 2025 protest, security volunteers spotted a man, Arturo Gamboa, who they thought looked suspicious and noticed he had a gun. Gamboa wasn't threatening anyone, pointing the weapon at anyone, or breaking any law — he was simply carrying it. Another volunteer, Matthew Scott Alder, responded by firing three shots. One of those rounds killed a bystander, Afa Ah Loo, who had nothing to do with the confrontation.

A Third District Judge ruled Tuesday that there's enough evidence Alder acted recklessly to send him to trial on a second-degree felony manslaughter charge. Testimony indicated three or four people were standing between Alder and Gamboa when he opened fire, according to the original report from Bearing Arms.

Key points

• The charge: Matthew Scott Alder was ordered to stand trial for manslaughter, a second-degree felony, after a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
• The victim: Afa Ah Loo died after being struck by one of three rounds Alder fired, and had no connection to the perceived threat.
• The "threat": Arturo Gamboa was lawfully carrying a firearm, wasn't pointing it at anyone, and wasn't an active threat to the crowd.
• The crowded line of fire: The judge noted testimony that three or four people stood between Alder and Gamboa when the shots were fired.
• Legal standard: The judge said he had to view evidence in the state's favor at this stage and wasn't ruling on witness credibility, only whether there's enough to proceed.
• The irony: Gamboa would reportedly have been within his rights to return fire on Alder, but didn't.

Bottom line

This case is a reminder that the mere sight of a holstered, legally carried firearm isn't justification for lethal force, and that shooting through a crowd at a non-threat carries real legal consequences. For armed citizens, it underscores why lawful carry alone shouldn't make you a target — and why reckless "security" response can land the shooter, not the carrier, in prison.

Source: bearingarms.com