Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former "Project Runway" contestant, was tragically killed at a "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday night. Ah Loo, known to many as Afa, was struck by a stray bullet when a man believed to be part of a peacekeeping team shot at an individual allegedly brandishing a rifle at the demonstration. He later died at a local hospital.
Ah Loo's death has sent shockwaves through the fashion community and the Pacific Islander community, where he was a beloved figure. He appeared in four episodes of "Project Runway" in 2017. A self-taught designer from Samoa, Ah Loo was deeply committed to celebrating and uplifting artists from the Pacific Islands through his work. He was a founder of Utah Pacific Fashion and co-founded Creative Pacific, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Pacific Islander artists. His designs often incorporated colorful geometric patterns and traditional Pacific Islander art forms, such as Tapa cloth, drawing inspiration from his Samoan heritage.
State Rep. Verona Mauga, a close friend of Ah Loo, described him as someone who devoted his life to doing "good things for his neighbors and community." She noted that his families were from the same small village of Lotopa in Samoa. Mauga, who was present at the "No Kings" protest, recalled seeing the crowd scatter and only then realizing something was wrong. She believes that Ah Loo would have been proud to have spent his last moments standing up for marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Benjamin Powell, a hair salon innovator from Fiji and co-founder of Create Pacific, admired Ah Loo's meticulous attention to detail, noting that his designs were instantly recognizable. Powell and Ah Loo were collaborating on an upcoming August fashion show, which Powell has vowed will continue in Ah Loo's memory, honoring his unwavering commitment to his community.
Ah Loo's talent and dedication had garnered him recognition beyond the local community. Recently, he designed a garment for Auliʻi Cravalho, the Hawaiian actor and star of the Disney Channel animated movie "Moana 2." Cravalho wore the outfit, which combined traditional and modern aesthetics from her culture, to the film's red carpet premiere in Hawaii last November. In an Instagram post, Cravalho expressed her grief, stating there were "no words to hold the grief of losing" Ah Loo and praised his artistry and peaceful protest. She extended her deepest condolences to his family.
The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. According to police, a man, Arturo Gamboa, allegedly pointed a rifle at protesters, creating a dangerous situation. A member of the "peacekeeping" team then fired a shot, intending to disarm Gamboa, but instead struck Ah Loo. Gamboa has been arrested and charged with murder for creating the dangerous conditions that led to Ah Loo's death. Police are still investigating whether the actions of the person who fired the fatal shot were justified. The individual who fired the shot has not been publicly identified.
The "No Kings" protest was one of many held across the country. The Salt Lake City event permit did not indicate that armed security would be present.
A GoFundMe page has been created to support Ah Loo's wife and two young children. In just 48 hours, it has raised over $100,000, demonstrating the profound impact he had on those around him. Many have expressed their condolences and shared memories of Ah Loo's kindness, talent, and unwavering commitment to his community and culture. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through his designs and the many lives he touched.
