Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former Project Runway contestant, has died after being shot during a No Kings protest in Utah.
The incident took place in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, during the No Kings demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Ah Loo was fatally shot after a volunteer peacekeeper fired at a man brandishing a rifle.
Highlights
- Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a former 'Project Runway' contestant and Samoan designer, was fatally shot at a No Kings protest in Salt Lake City.
- Ah Loo was an innocent bystander shot during a confrontation when a peacekeeper fired at a man brandishing a rifle.
- Ah Loo was the first Samoan designer on 'Project Runway' and was known for his Polynesian-inspired fashion and celebrity clients.
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was shot and killed while protesting at a No Kings rally
Image credits: Miller Mobley/Getty Images)
The Salt Lake City Police Department said Ah Loo was not the intended target and was an innocent bystander.
He died later in hospital despite emergency efforts to save him.
Tributes have now been paid to the well-known designer who competed on Project Runway in 2019.
Ah Loo was the first Samoan designer to appear on the show and had a successful fashion career afterwards.
He dressed celebrities like Moana star Auli’i Cravalho and members of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Born and raised in Samoa, Ah Loo was proud of his Pacific Islander roots.
His work often featured Polynesian designs and cultural influences, and he co-founded a nonprofit, Creative Pacific, to support other Pacific Islander artists.
Ah Loo also created clothes for his family and dedicated collections to his children.
“This collection is dedicated to my daughter Vera. Dedicated to her and her free spirit and love for everything and anything creative!” he wrote on Instagram last October, sharing his collection.
His next fashion showcase was planned for the end of July.
In a tribute post, Cravalho wrote: “Your artistry will never be forgotten; and neither will your peaceful protest.
“My deepest condolences, sympathies and Aloha to his family, and all who felt his impact.”
David Derrick Jr., co-director of Moana 2, also paid tribute. He called Ah Loo a “pillar in the community” and thanked him for blessing their lives.
Police have now confirmed that officers at the scene heard gunfire near 151 South State Street shortly before 8 p.m. and quickly moved in.
They found a man, later identified as Ah Loo, with a gunshot wound.
Ah Loo received emergency care from SLCPD SWAT team members, the Salt Lake City Fire Department, and the Gold Cross Ambulance.
“Despite those efforts, the man died at the hospital,” police said.
Soon after the shooting, officers found a man near 102 South 200 East who had also been shot.
The man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, was wearing all black and a black mask. He had an AR-15-style rifle nearby.
The police report also states that officers located a gas mask, black clothing, and a backpack in close proximity.
Millions protested Trump's policies and actions across the U.S. over the weekend
Image credits: David McNew/Getty Images
Gamboa was taken to the hospital and later arrested. He is now facing a murder charge.
While Gamboa did not fire the shot that killed Ah Loo, police say his actions created a deadly situation.
Two men who identified themselves as peacekeeping team members at the protest told the detectives that they saw “suspicious” behavior from Gamboa before the shooting.
They were wearing “high-visibility neon green vests and carrying handguns,” a police report said.
Gamboa had moved away from the crowd and was seen pulling the rifle from his backpack.
The peacekeepers confronted him and told him to drop his weapon.
Image credits: Jacek Boczarski/Getty Images
When Gamboa ran toward the crowd with the rifle in a firing position, one of the peacekeepers fired three shots, according to police.
One bullet hit Gamboa, and another struck Ah Loo.
The two peacekeepers were detained for questioning.
“Detectives have developed probable cause that Gamboa acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member,” a police statement read.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd added: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed, and with the many community members who were impacted by this traumatic incident.”
Los Angeles has been seeing ongoing protests since June 6 regarding Trump’s immigration policy and ICE raids in the area.
On Saturday, more than 75 protests were scheduled across Utah and other American states as part of a national movement called “No Kings” protesting Trump’s policies and actions since he took office.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which co-sponsored the protests, said more than 5 million people attended 2,100 demonstrations across the country.
Ah Loo is survived by his wife, Laura, and their two children, Vera and Isaac.
Gamboa is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. He has not yet entered a plea, and his motive remains unknown.
Police are asking the public to share any photos or videos from the protest to help with the investigation.