A tragic twist unfolded during a protest in Salt Lake City, claiming the life of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a talented fashion designer who once graced the runways of Season 17 of 'Project Runway' in 2019. On June 14th, Ah Loo was fatally shot while actively participating in a demonstration titled “No Kings,” which was staged in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump, as revealed in a press statement issued by the Salt Lake City Police Department. He was just 39 years old.
Ah Loo received immediate medical attention on-site until the arrival of the Salt Lake City Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance. Despite their tireless efforts to save his life, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased 39-year-old man, as well as to the numerous community members who have been deeply affected by this heart-wrenching incident," expressed Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd in the press release.
A preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that Ah Loo was an "innocent bystander" who "was not the intended target of the gunfire."
The tragic sequence of events unfolded when members of the protest's peacekeeping team noticed a man, later identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, pulling an AR-15-style rifle from his backpack, according to the SLCPD's investigation. When instructed by the peacekeepers to discard his weapon, Gamboa instead advanced towards the crowd, prompting one of the peacekeepers to discharge three rounds—one of which struck and killed Ah Loo.
Dressed in black clothing and wearing a black mask, Gamboa was also hit by one of the bullets and was subsequently transported to a hospital. He was later transferred to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, where he remains in custody and has been charged with murder.
E! News reached out to the Salt Lake County Sherriff’s Department for comment, but no response was received. Similarly, a representative for Gamboa was unavailable for comment.
Ah Loo, affectionately known to his loved ones as "Afa," pursued his passion for design beyond the realm of reality TV. He founded the nonprofit organization Creative Pacific, which hosted events celebrating Pacific Island culture, according to Forbes.
Meanwhile, the authorities continue to diligently investigate the matter. "Our detectives are now working tirelessly to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident," Chief Redd stated in the SLCPD's press release. "We will not tolerate this isolated act from instilling fear within our community."
