‘No Kings' protestor who died was ‘Project Runway' designer
39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was killed by a stray bullet when shots were fired at the protest by a man who is believed to have had an AR-15 and another man believed to be part of a peacekeeping team. Police say Ah Loo died at the hospital.
The volunteer told police that he had seen 24-year-old Arturo Roberto Gamboa acting suspiciously before he pulled out an AR-15, according to local station FOX 13. Two volunteers told Gamboa to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused and began running toward the crowd.
During a press conference on Sunday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said he is unsure why the man had a rifle, but he has been charged with murder, and they are accusing him of creating the situation that led to Ah Loo's death.
Ah Loo reportedly dedicated his life to celebrating artists who are from the Pacific Islands. He has a wife and two children, according to the GoFundMe page that was started by his family. That fund has raised over $205,000 as of Monday afternoon.
Ah Loo was born in Samoa and was known by most people as Afa. State Rep. Verona Mauga said that he was all about doing 'the good things for his neighbors and community.'
Mauga was at the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, only a few blocks from the shooting. She told The Associated Press, 'If Afa was going to go out any other way than natural causes, it would be standing up for marginalized and vulnerable communities and making sure that people had a voice.'
She also said that Ah Loo was great at bringing people together and connecting 'culture and diversity and service.'
According to The Associated Press, Ah Loo had co-founded Create Pacific with a hair salon innovator from Fiji, Benjamin Powell. The organization is meant to help artists from the Pacific Islands.
Powell talked to the outlet about Ah Loo's work, saying, 'You would know right away that it was an Ah Loo design.' Powell had been working with Ah Loo for an upcoming fashion show in August.
Despite Ah Loo's death, Powell said 'the show will continue' and honor Ah Loo in the process.
Ah Loo was a contestant on 'Project Runway' in 2017, a reality show where fashion designers create runway looks on deadline. Ah Loo had also recently designed an outfit for Hawaiian actor Auliʻi Cravalho, who is the star of 'Moana 2.'
She wore that outfit on the red carpet premiere for the film in November. At the time, she said, 'This was the first time I was so active in helping to design a custom look, and Afa surpassed what I had envisioned.'
Ah Loo also volunteered his time, creating clothing for people in need, according to Mauga. She also said that he wouldn't let people pay him a lot of the time. Ah Loo would make blazers and dresses on short notice for Mauga.
'Afa was so much a part of the community,' she said.
Rep. Doug Fiefia wrote on social media, '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.
Rep. Tyler Clancy also wrote on social media, saying, 'Afa was a wonderful man & father who looked out for his community. Sending all of the love & prayers.'
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