Matthew Alder Fatally Shoots 1 Protester at 10,000-Person Salt Lake City March
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Matthew Alder Fatally Shoots 1 Protester at 10,000-Person Salt Lake City March
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Summary
Afa Ah Loo, 39, was killed after Matthew Alder fired three shots during the June 14, 2025 No Kings protest in downtown Salt Lake City.
Alder, a contractor who had volunteered to help protect marchers, later said he fired at an armed man he believed was about to open fire on the crowd and did not intend to hit Ah Loo.
About 10,000 people had gathered for the anti-Trump march, one of the largest demonstrations Salt Lake City had seen, when the gunfire shattered the crowd.
The case centers on an unusual legal question because the dead man was not the person Alder says he was targeting, complicating how prosecutors and courts assess criminal liability.
When volunteer security is armed, how can protest movements truly guarantee the safety of their participants?
How can citizens exercise their right to protest when digital surveillance turns peaceful assembly into a high-risk activity?
Seeking Justice for Afa Ah Loo: The 2025 Salt Lake City Protest Shooting and Its Impact on Law, Policy, and Public Safety
Overview
On June 14, 2025, a massive 'No Kings' protest against the Trump presidency drew about 10,000 people to downtown Salt Lake City. Organizers had discouraged weapons, but tensions rose after warnings from Governor Spencer Cox about the risks of arming attendees were dismissed. The event turned tragic when fashion designer Afa Ah Loo, who was filming the demonstration, was fatally shot. The protest’s permit was obtained under an alias, adding to the controversy. This incident sparked ongoing legal battles, policy reforms, and national debate about public safety, gun laws, and accountability at large gatherings.