Safety Volunteer Charged With Manslaughter in Utah Protest Shooting | AI News Digest
After weeks of intense speculation, Matthew Alder, a volunteer safety officer, faces manslaughter charges stemming from the deadly shooting of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo during a 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City last June. Alder reportedly discharged three rounds at a man who was in the process of assembling an AR-15 rifle, inadvertently striking Ah Loo, an innocent bystander. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill noted that while Alder was within his rights to defend himself, the third shot was deemed reckless and amounted to criminal conduct. Ah Loo, a respected fashion designer and advocate for Pacific Island artists, is remembered by his widow as a devoted father and a vibrant creative spirit. The incident has sparked a broader discussion regarding the use of lethal force at public demonstrations and the accountability of armed volunteers.
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