A former Army combat engineer has been identified as the safety volunteer who fired his weapon during Saturday's "No Kings" protest in downtown Salt Lake City.
Multiple sources involved with the volunteer safety team at the "No Kings" protest have confirmed to Utah Political Watch that Matt Alder was the safety volunteer who allegedly drew his weapon and fired after observing Arturo Gamboa openly carrying a rifle at the protest. Gamboa was injured during the incident. Protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was also hit and later died.
Speculation about Alder’s identity first emerged on social media Thursday when a user matched a photo of a yellow-vested man at the shooting scene with his appearance in a recent local TV interview.
"Y'all.. Is this him? or am I just trying to force a connection here?? lmk," read the viral post that sparked the connection.
Protest organizers had remained mum on Alder's identity since the incident on Saturday. Local organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Salt Lake City police declined comment.
Despite not firing his rifle, Gamboa was arrested by Salt Lake City police on suspicion of murder. He remains in jail after the Salt Lake County District Attorney was granted a three-day extension on his detention to continue the investigation into the incident.
On Friday, a judge ordered the immediate release of Gamboa from jail after his lawyers claimed he was being unlawfully detained.
In ordering his release, Third District Judge James Blanch said that prosecutors determined they would be unable to determine whether they could make an "informed decision" about filing charges against Gamboa by the end of that extension.
Blanch ordered Gamboa's release on the condition that he continue living with his father, turn in his passport and not possess any firearms.
"This is a zero-tolerance condition," Blanch hand wrote on a copy of the release order provided to Utah Political Watch.
"He should be home this evening. Hopefully, this nightmare is now over," Greg Skordas, Gamboa's lawyer, said in a text message.
In an email sent to Utah Political Watch earlier this week, Skordas argued that there was no reason for police to keep Gamboa in custody.
"His own gun had no bullets. He once had a legal conceal carry permit. He was lawfully open-carrying. He has zero prior criminal history. He is so severely shackled in the jail that he cannot move his hands or legs. He has a visible entry wound and exit wound from the bullet that hit him in his back," Skordas wrote.
This story has been updated.
