Alleged No Kings protest shooter makes first court appearance

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Matt Alder appeared in court on Tuesday, facing manslaughter charges for allegedly killing Afa Ah Loo during the No Kings protest last June.
His next court hearing is set for March 20 to schedule trial dates.

SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time, the public is seeing the so-called peacekeeper accused of shooting and killing a man during the No Kings protest last summer in Salt Lake City.

Matt Alder, 43, made his first court appearance Tuesday morning. He's facing manslaughter charges in the death of Samoan fashion designer Afa Ah Loo.

Tuesday's hearing was over half a year in the making. Ah Loo's widow has been calling for accountability for her husband's death. Now the public knows what his accused shooter looks like.

KSL cameras were rolling as Alder walked out of the courtroom. His court appearance took less than three minutes. Commissioner Todd Olsen with Utah's 3rd District Court told Alder he must call the jail to get fingerprinted and take a mug shot, and then set a date for Alder to come back for his next hearing in March.

"It needs to be the 20th," Olsen said.

"That's fine," Alder's attorney said.

"OK, Mr. Alder, that is your court date," Olsen said.

The hearing marks nearly seven months since the "No Kings" protest in June. The Salt Lake County district attorney alleges that Alder fired a gun recklessly into the crowd and killed Afa Ah Loo, an innocent bystander marching through the street.

Alder was reportedly taking aim at Arturo Gamboa, who was openly carrying an AR-15 rifle that day. Gamboa was initially arrested but later released and cleared of any wrongdoing. It wasn't until last month that the district attorney announced his office's decision to file charges against Alder.

"We are filing one count of second-degree manslaughter against Matt Alder, and also formally declining any charges against Mr. Arturo Gamboa," said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.

To this point, Alder has not served any jail and remains a free man as the court process plays out.

"Alright, sir, you're good to go. I wish you luck," Olsen said.

"Thank you," Alder said.

Alder's next court hearing on March 20 will be a scheduling conference, where the court will start laying out dates to prepare for his trial.

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