SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The man who was fatally shot during the Salt Lake City “No Kings” protest was a fashion designer with a local company and a former contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway.”
Police identified the victim of Saturday’s shooting as Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo.
Ah Loo was marching with a crowd of about 10,000 people when an alleged peacekeeper shot at a suspect with an AR-15 style rifle, “unintentionally” striking him as well. Ah Loo was critically injured in the shooting and died in the hospital on Sunday.
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Ah Loo was publicly known for his work on Project Runway, his self-named design house in Salt Lake City, and his design nonprofit Creative Pacific Foundation.
He was chosen to participate as both a panelist and a headline designer in PNG Fashion Week’s 2025 Pacific Fashion Summit in September, where he planned to showcase a new collection centered on Pacific fashion.
His designs were inspired by his Samoan upbringing, and he has dressed several prominent figures in Samoa, including Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, according to PNG Fashion Week’s feature. Locally, he has also designed clothing for Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast members. The feature said he was the first and only Samoan to participate on Project Runway USA.
In addition to his role in fashion, Ah Loo was a husband and father to two young children, according to a GoFundMe.
Utah Rep. Doug Fiefia, a member of the local Polynesian community, released a statement saying he is “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Afa Ah Loo.”
“My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was a bright light in our Polynesian community and will be deeply missed. May his loved ones feel peace and comfort during this difficult time,” he said.
Police are investigating the shooting and have taken the suspect, Arturo Gamboa, and two alleged peacekeepers into custody. Gamboa is facing a murder charge, and the District Attorney’s Office is determining if further charges should be filed.
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