Fashion Designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo Killed During Salt Lake City Protest

Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former contestant on the reality show "Project Runway," was tragically killed during the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City. Ah Loo was shot and killed on Saturday night when two men opened fire at a person allegedly brandishing a rifle at demonstrators. One of the bullets accidentally struck Ah Loo in the stomach, leading to his death at the hospital.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Police are investigating whether the individuals who opened fire were part of a "peacekeeping" team brought in by the event organizers or if they acted on their own initiative. Arturo Gamboa, 24, who pointed the rifle at protesters but never fired it, has been arrested on murder charges. Police are also investigating whether the man who shot at Gamboa and fatally hit Ah Loo was justified in firing his gun. This individual has not been publicly identified.

Ah Loo, known to many as Afa, was a self-taught fashion designer who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands. He leaves behind a wife and two young children. A GoFundMe page for his family raised over $100,000 in 48 hours. Ah Loo was born in Samoa and had lived in Utah for about a decade. He was a close friend of state Rep. Verona Mauga, who described him as someone who did "good things for his neighbors and community."

The "No Kings" protest was one of many nationwide events countering President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington. The protest in Salt Lake City drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 people. There was no record in the event permit indicating that armed security would be present. Carl Moore, an Indigenous advocate, was filming the protest when three gunshots rang out, causing confusion and panic among the crowd.

Ah Loo's work as a fashion designer was deeply rooted in his cultural heritage. He co-founded Create Pacific with Benjamin Powell, an organization that uplifts artists from the Pacific Islands. Ah Loo's designs often incorporated traditional Pacific Island attire with modern silhouettes, using motifs like flowers indigenous to Samoa and Tapa cloth. His attention to detail made his work distinctive and recognizable.

Ah Loo's impact extended beyond his fashion designs. He was a contestant on "Project Runway" in 2019 and recently designed a garment for the star of the animated Disney movie "Moana 2," Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho. Cravalho wore the outfit, inspired by the Hawaiian ʻahu ʻula, to the film’s red carpet premiere in Hawaii. In an Instagram post, Cravalho expressed her grief over Ah Loo's passing, describing him as someone who made a significant impact on those around him.

Ah Loo's commitment to his community was unwavering. He volunteered his time and resources to tailor clothing for people in need, often refusing compensation for his work. He was also involved in various community initiatives and was known for his playful criticism of outfits worn by state lawmaker Verona Mauga, often inviting her to his studio to create new blazers or dresses for her.

Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Ah Loo's legacy will continue through the work of Create Pacific and the upcoming August fashion show that he and Powell were planning. The show will honor Ah Loo's commitment to his community and his passion for fashion. His friends and family remember him as someone who cared deeply about making a difference and stood up for marginalized and vulnerable communities.