Denver TV crew’s guard accused in deadly shooting of protester at dueling left-, right-wing rallies

A private security guard employed by a Denver TV station was arrested in the fatal shooting of a protester during an altercation Saturday afternoon at dueling right- and left-wing rallies in the Mile High City.

Matthew Dolloff, 30, was taken into custody and is being held for investigation of first-degree murder following the shooting at Denver’s Civic Center Park, where a “Patriot Rally” and “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive” were simultaneously occurring.

UPDATE: Matthew Dolloff (DOB 03-07-1990) is being held for Investigation of First Degree Murder in connection w/the shooting that occurred yesterday at 10 W. 14th Ave. This remains an active investigation; any additional updates will be released as it becomes available. #Denver https://t.co/1Y7Yw7stL0 pic.twitter.com/Va3Lvc1CwT

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 11, 2020

Authorities have not released the name of the man killed, but family members have been telling local media the victim was Lee Keltner, a 49-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who owned a small business.

“He wasn’t a part of any group,” his son, Jon Keltner, told the Denver Post. “He was there to rally for the police department and he’d been down there before rallying for the police department.”

Photographs taken by the Post appear to show Keltner and Dolloff in an altercation that escalated when Keltner sprayed mace at Dolloff. According to a Post reporter at the scene, Dolloff drew a gun and shot Keltner in the head.

Two guns and a can of mace were discovered at the scene, according to Denver police.

KUSA, an NBC affiliate that also calls itself 9News, said it hired Dolloff through Pinkerton, a private security guard firm.

“Dolloff was contracted through Pinkerton by 9NEWS. It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to contract private security to accompany staff at protests,” the station said.