Media Outlet Hires Anti-Trump Activist as ‘Security’ for Rally — He Kills a Trump Supporter

M

A private security guard was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after being hired to protect a news crew during a pair of opposing rallies in downtown Denver on Saturday.

The shooting: Matthew Dolloff, 30, was working for a Denver NBC affiliate when he apparently fatally shot Lee Keltner, 49, who was participating in a pro-police and pro-Trump “patriot muster” outside the Denver Art Museum.

  • A Black Lives Matter and anti-fascist “soup rally” was held nearby.
  • During a 10-second escalation that took place in broad daylight and was documented in photos and videos, Keltner apparently slapped and pepper-sprayed Dolloff, who then drew a gun from his waistband and fired.

KUSA-TV, the NBC affiliate, said Dolloff was contracted through a security firm called Pinkerton in keeping with the station’s practice in covering months of racial justice protests.

  • But Dolloff was not licensed to work as a guard in the city, officials said on Sunday.

Contrary to some claims online, Dolloff was not known to be an antifa activist, according to police; but he reportedly expressed bellicose left-wing views on social media, including cursing Trump and law enforcement.

The aftermath: Dolloff was taken into custody by the Denver Police Department on suspicion of first-degree murder, though he has not been formally charged.

  • A 9News producer was also arrested but released when police determined he was not involved in the shooting.
  • Keltner was taken to the hospital where he died, Joe Montoya, Denver Police chief of investigations, said at a news conference on Saturday.
  • According to Montoya, two guns were found at the scene, as well as a pepper spray can.
  • “There was a verbal altercation that transpired. A firearm was discharged,” he said. “An individual was shot and later pronounced deceased.”

“American patriot”: Keltner was identified by his family as a U.S. Navy veteran who owned a local custom hat business.

  • His mother, Carol Keltner, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that he was shot in the head in front of his 24-year-old son, Johnathan Keltner.
  • One of the organizers of the “Patriot Rally,” John Tiegen, said on Instagram on Sunday that he was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of a fellow American patriot.”

A decision on any charges will be up to the Denver District Attorney’s Office, police said.

By We'll Do It Live