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LEE Keltner, a US Navy veteran who operated a hat-making business, was fatally shot during dueling rallies on October 10.

A private security guard has been arrested in , which took place in Denver.

Lee Keltner was shot and killed during dueling rallies in Denver
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Lee Keltner was shot and killed during dueling rallies in Denver

Who was Lee Keltner?

The 49-year-old Keltner, a father of two, ran Crossfire Hats in Brighton, Colorado.

He told the  in 2015: “Everything I do is custom. I do one hat at a time, I do it right for that customer, and then I move on to the next one.”

Keltner, talking about his business in a 2012 video said he was "keeping the West alive, one hat at a time."

He said: "The cowboy hat is the history of the West" and added in Colorado the cattleman style was the most popular.

"I love being an artist," Keltner said. "Creating new and different things because I do all the work myself and I do it one at a time. It's truly special for that customer."

Keltner was in the hat-making business
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Keltner was in the hat-making business

Keltner was described in other social media tributes as a “loving husband, father and friend” who would help those in need.

Friend Laura Sanders wrote on Twitter: “Lee was a loving husband, father & friend. He was a minister & helped those in need. He has family & friends who are grieving.”

Keltner was a grandfather and had served in the military.

Friends and family are mourning Keltner's death
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Friends and family are mourning Keltner's death

What happened to Keltner?

Keltner was fatally shot at around 3.30pm on October 10 outside the  Art Museum while he was believed to have been taking part in a "Patriot Muster" rally.

It is believed just before Keltner was shot dead.

He was shot in the head in front of his son.

Keltner was taken to the hospital, where he died an hour later.

The moments leading up to the deadly shooting were captured in a video which has now been posted on social media.

Carol Keltner, who identified herself as the victim's mother, revealed what happened to her son to the Northeast Arkansas Tea Party Group on Facebook.

"My son Lee was at the patriot rally today in Denver," she wrote.

Matthew Dolloff has been arrested in connection with the murder
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Matthew Dolloff has been arrested in connection with the murderCredit: Reuters

"After the rally a person on the  and  side went up to him said a few nasty words then shot him in the head. He was murdered because he backed the police," she continued.

His 24 year old son was with him," she added.

"I moved to  because  got too expensive and liberal. The left has gotten out of hand."

The “Patriot Rally" was protested by dozens of people who attended an event called a “BLM-Antifa Soup Drive," according to .

Dolloff and Keltner before the shooting
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Dolloff and Keltner before the shootingCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Dolloff fires pepper spray when he was shot
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Dolloff fires pepper spray when he was shotCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Was the gunman apprehended?

, 30, was booked into jail for investigation of first-degree murder following the fatal shooting in Civic Center Park.

Dolloff was working as a private security guard working for a Denver TV station, , according to reports.

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

A spokesperson for District Attorney Beth McCann said that the arrest affidavit in the case remained sealed and referred further questions to the police.

The Denver Police Department said in a statement that the suspect "is a private security guard with no affiliation with Antifa."

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Photos of the incident taken by The Denver Pot show a man slapping Dolloff and using pepper spray near the Denver Art Museum.

Moments later, Dolloff then shot the man, according to the photos.

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