Project Runway star Afa Ah Loo smiled and shared gratitude in last video days before being shot dead at No Kings protest
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who went by Afa, spoke about gratitude and community in an interview just days before he was fatally shot at a No Kings protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.
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Ah Loo, 39, was an innocent bystander hit by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a "peacekeeping" volunteer at the protest, police said. He later died in the hospital.
He had no connection to the gunman and was "not the intended target of the gunfire," according to the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Ah Loo, a father of two, was best known as a Samoan fashion designer who competed on Season 17 of Project Runway in 2019.
He finished in 13th place in the competition.
After the show, he continued his fashion career and worked with nonprofit organization Creative Pacific.
Days before the shooting, Ah Loo was seen smiling and speaking about how his Pacific Islander heritage relates to his work in a video interview shared on Facebook.
"Our people are very creative people," he said in the video interview by PacifikaByDesign shared on June 12.
"Now that we're here... Why don't we pull our people up with us and work together to make a name for ourselves and our people?
"It is difficult to work in spaces that you don't normally see our people in. But it is with grit and perseverance that we can get to where we are.
"We're slowly making our way there. We're still learning. We're grateful for people that have sacrificed their time and talents to help us."
Victim of SLC shooting at 'No Kings' protest dies after being hit in crossfire as security targeted 'man with AR-15'
Days after the interview, Ah Loo died in the hospital from his gunshot wounds after attending the No Kings march downtown.
Thousands of No Kings demonstrations broke out across America over the weekend to protest the Trump administration on the president's birthday.
The majority of No Kings rallies were peaceful and Ah Loo is believed to be the only fatality from the protests.
Terrifying footage showed protesters running from the gunfire as over 10,000 people gathered to protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
US Embassy New Zealand's statement
The US Embassy New Zealand released the following statement about Afa Ah Loo's death:
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Arthur 'Afa' Folasa Ah Loo.
A celebrated Samoan fashion designer and creative force in the Pacific community, Afa's talent and vibrant cultural vision inspired many across the region and beyond.
A few years ago, the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand was honored to support Afa in showcasing his work and leading U.S. fashion and business workshops at the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show in Auckland.
Afa leaves behind a rich legacy in the artists he mentored and communities he uplifted. Our thoughts are with his ʻāiga, friends, and all who mourn his passing.
Source: US Embassy NZ
The unidentified man who shot Ah Loo told police he was a peacekeeper, meaning he was volunteering to help de-escalate conflict during the protest against President Donald Trump.
The gunman told cops he watched Arturo Roberto Gamboa, 24, acting suspiciously in the protest crowd before pulling a rifle out of his backpack, SLCPD Chief Brian Redd said on Sunday.
Gamboa charged toward protesters with his gun, which led the shooter to fire three shots at him, Redd said.
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The gunfire struck Ah Loo, who was in a nearby crowd, and Gamboa.
Gamboa was hospitalized for a minor bullet wound before he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
A tribute by the US Embassy of New Zealand remembered Ah Loo as "a celebrated Samoan fashion designer and creative force in the Pacific community.
"Afa's talent and vibrant cultural vision inspired many across the region and beyond," the embassy's statement on X said.
Ah Loo is survived by his wife and two young children.
A GoFundMe for Ah Loo's family has raised over $190,000 as of Monday afternoon.
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