Tragic Shooting At 'No Kings' Rally Claims Life Of Fashion Designer And 'Project Runway' Alum

A peaceful protest in Salt Lake City turned deadly Saturday night when "Project Runway" alum and beloved fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was tragically killed in a shooting incident during a "No Kings" rally.

Ah Loo, affectionately known as "Afa," was struck by gunfire intended for another protester, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, who brandished a rifle during the demonstration.

The "Project Runway" alum was 39 years old.

According to Salt Lake City police, two peacekeepers dressed in neon vests saw Gamboa separate from the crowd and raise a firearm behind a wall.

After issuing verbal commands for him to drop the weapon, which he ignored, Gamboa allegedly ran toward the crowd with his rifle in a firing position. One of the peacekeepers responded by firing three rounds from a handgun. While Gamboa was injured, one of the bullets fatally struck Ah Loo, who was an innocent bystander standing nearby with friends. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities confirmed Gamboa was taken into custody on a murder charge. Police have not yet disclosed his motive, and the name of the peacekeeper who fired the fatal shots has not been released.

Ah Loo, originally from Samoa, had recently become a U.S. citizen and proudly voted for the first time during the 2024 election. A staunch advocate for human rights and equity, he attended Saturday's protest to stand in solidarity with marginalized communities.

"Afa is a person who believed in equity and equality for all people and all communities," said Utah Representative Verona Mauga in an interview with KSL-TV. "That's why he was there. He was with his community, and he was with people he cared about, marching and rallying for all of those things that make our community really great."

Ah Loo leaves behind his wife and two young children.

According to a GoFundMe page set up in his honor, he was deeply committed to celebrating his Samoan heritage and Pacific Islander culture. He was the founder of Creative Pacific, an event series that spotlighted Pacific artists, designers, and cultural workshops, including fashion runways that fused traditional influences with modern design.

"Afa was a proud Samoan, deeply connected to his culture and community. Through his work with the nonprofit Creative Pacific and his incredible talent as a fashion designer, he shared his heritage with passion and creativity," the fundraiser reads. "But more than anything, Afa was proud of the life he built with his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children, Vera and Isaac."

He gained national recognition as a contestant on "Project Runway" Season 17, where his talent and cultural vision earned praise from judges and viewers alike.

As shots rang out during the rally, chaos ensued. Hundreds of demonstrators fled for cover, hiding behind barriers or escaping into nearby buildings and garages. Video from the scene shows the frantic moment marchers realized a gun had been drawn, with one person shouting, "That's a gun. Come on, come on, get out."

Friends of Ah Loo grew concerned when they couldn't reach him after the incident. Their fears were confirmed hours later.

SWAT medics and paramedics attempted life-saving measures on Ah Loo at the scene before he was transported to the hospital. His official cause of death will be determined by the coroner.

What was intended to be a peaceful night of unity and protest against authoritarianism instead ended in tragedy. The fashion world, Pacific Islander community, and Ah Loo's loved ones now mourn the sudden and senseless loss of a creative force and devoted family man.