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Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former ‘Project Runway' Designer Identified as Fatal Victim in Shooting at ‘No Kings' March in Salt Lake City
The fashion designer and former 'Project Runway' contestant Arthur Folasa 'Afa' Ah Loo has been identified as the fatal victim during Saturday's shooting at a 'No Kings' march and demonstration in downtown Salt Lake City. The 39-year-old was a Utah resident, according to a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department. The Samoa-born designer ran his namesake business in the state and he was part of the nonprofit Creative Pacific Foundation. Representatives at his company and the nonprofit did not respond immediately to media requests. More from WWD Leonard Lauder, Legendary Beauty Executive, Dies at 92 Melania Trump Wears New York-made Adam Lippes Suit for U.S. Army Grand Military Parade Tender Store Owner Cheryl Daskas Dies at 71 Thousands know the designer for participating in season 17 of the Bravo show 'Project Runway.' Nina Garcia, Elle's editor in chief and longtime 'Project Runway' judge, said Monday that her heart broke hearing of Afa's passing. 'After spending time with him on the set of 'Project Runway,' I knew personally how driven and how kind he was. I was always so moved by how he brought his Samoan heritage to his design,' she said. 'He radiated joy and light on set, and it has been a privilege to watch him flourish in recent years. My thoughts and prayers are with Afa and his family.' 'Devastated' by the loss of Ah Loo, the fashion designer and 'Project Runway' judge Christian Siriano described him as 'a bright light and creative force.' Siriano noted that while protesting against the Trump administration, 'Ah Loo was taken from us far too soon, because of guns.' The New York-based designer said that he partners with the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety to speak out against gun violence. Tessa Clark, one of Ah Loo's fellow contestants from season 17, recalled Monday how he 'brought so much joy and laughter' to the show. 'He could easily make us laugh, while offering a hand and support during design challenges. Nothing could prepare any of us for the challenge of losing a friend,' Clark said. She said that Ah Loo loved his wife and children more than anything in the world. Clark added, 'It was apparent he cared about people, his community, and being creative in a world that can lean toward being careless. He was a good person through and through. More people should be like Afa.' Ah Loo was described as an 'innocent bystander' by the Salt Lake City Police Department in a press release. Saturday's incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. MST, when gunfire could be heard near 151 South State Street. Hundreds ran for safety, with some hiding in parking garages or behind barriers, and others went into nearby businesses, according to the SLCPD. After officers arrived to secure the scene, they found a man who had been shot and immediately began lifesaving efforts. Ah Loo later died at an unidentified hospital. The cause and manner of his death will be determined by the Salt Lake City medical examiner's office. Danielle Conlon, a public information officer for Utah's Department of Health and Human Services, was unable to share any information about the autopsy, due to Utah being considered a closed record state regarding any records from the office of the medical examiner. The Utah DHHS said in a statement Monday, 'Our hearts go out to everyone impacted. Thank you to the protesters who exercised their constitutional rights, and to the security, SLCPD, DPS, and medical personnel whose actions protected lives.' Ah Loo was part of a crowd of about 10,000 people who had turned out in Salt Lake City, which was one of the numerous 'No Kings' protests that were held across the U.S. Saturday in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. The preliminary investigation by the SLCPD showed that Ah Loo was 'not the intended target' and that he had been struck by an alleged peacekeeper, according to the department. Officers on the scene Saturday night also found 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa on the ground with a gunshot wound and an AR-15 style rifle nearby. He was treated and taken into custody. SLCPD said they detained two men, who were wearing neon green vests and were carrying handguns. They were said to be part of the peacekeeping movement. One of the men was said to have fired three rounds after Gamboa raised the rifle he was carrying and ran toward the crowd. One round struck Gamboa and another 'tragically wounded' Ah Loo, according to the SLCPD. As of Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe initiative that had been set up to help Ah Loo's wife Laura cover the expenses for his funeral, and 'to ease the immediate financial burdens that she now faces,' had raised $196,721. Born and raised in Samoa, Ah Loo was introduced to fashion by his mother, who sewed most of the clothing that he and his five siblings wore. As a student, while taking a home economics class and nearly burning down the kitchen, he decided to switch tracks to sewing. His first assignment was making a dress for one of his sisters, according to his 'Project Runway' profile on the Bravo site. Ah Loo attended Brigham Young University's outpost in Hawaii. On the show the designer's unsuccessful creation that combined a map and a hammock reportedly led to his departure from the design challenge-based program. Ah Loo later helped out another Bravo personality for a different outing. He created the burnt orange cape ensemble that Danna Bui-Negrete wore to appear on 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Season Three reunion. Ah Loo said at that time that he had created a traditional Vietnamese look called an ''Áo Dài' with a modern twist to it for Bui-Negrete, who identifies as Vietnamese American. Several years ago Ah Loo took part in the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, which resulted in his having one of his Samoan-inspired designs displayed in an exhibition at Buckingham Palace that had been curated by Hamish Bowles. More recently, Ah Loo had been tapped to take part in the Papua New Guinea Fashion Week's Pacific Fashion Summit, which is scheduled to take place in September. Stefany De Rei, general manager of the Utah Fashion World, described the designer as 'a kind and warm person, who always had a smile on his face. He always treated us so welcomingly.' Plans for a memorial service for Ah Loo were not immediately known. Aside from his wife Laura and two children, the names of his other survivors were not known of WWD Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana The Most Memorable French Open Tennis Outfits With Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka & More [PHOTOS]
Los Angeles Times
21-06-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Man arrested after Utah ‘No Kings' rally shooting is released as investigation continues
A man accused of brandishing a rifle at a 'No Kings Day' rally in Utah — prompting an armed safety volunteer to open fire and accidentally kill a protester — has been released from jail while the investigation continues. Salt Lake County Dist. Atty. Sim Gill's office said Friday that it was unable to make a decision on charges against Arturo Gamboa, who had been jailed on suspicion of murder after the June 14 shooting. Salt Lake City police had said Gamboa brought an assault-style rifle to the rally and was moving toward the crowd with the weapon raised when a safety volunteer for the event fired three shots, wounding Gamboa and killing a nearby demonstrator, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Gamboa did not fire his rifle and it is unclear what he intended to do with it. His father, Albert Gamboa, told the Associated Press this week that his son was 'an innocent guy' who was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. The volunteer has not been publicly identified as investigators have worked to determine who was at fault. Judge James Blanch said in the release order that Gamboa must live with his father and is forbidden from possessing firearms. The conditions terminate after two months or if criminal charges against him are pursued, Blanch wrote. Gamboa's attorney, Greg Skordas, did not immediately respond to a telephone message left for him seeking comment. Police said the day after the shooting that witnesses reported seeing Gamboa lift the rifle when he was ordered to drop it and that instead he began running toward the crowd. He fled but was arrested nearby, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death. Salt Lake City police said in a statement the next day that Gamboa 'knowingly engaged in conduct ... that ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member.' But three days after Gamboa was booked into jail, with no formal charges filed, police acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained uncertain. They issued a public appeal for any video footage related to the shooting or Gamboa, and said detectives were still trying 'to piece together exactly what happened.' The volunteer who confronted Gamboa was described by event organizers as a military veteran whose role as a safety volunteer was to maintain order. Experts say it's extremely rare for such individuals, often called safety marshals, to be armed. They typically rely on calm demeanor, communication and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security. Protest organizers have not said whether or how the safety volunteer who shot Ah Loo was trained or explained why he was armed. All attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons, according to Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for the 50501 Movement. Parker's organization on Thursday said it was disassociating from a local chapter of the group that helped organize the Utah protest. The demonstration involving some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. It was one of hundreds nationwide involving millions of demonstrators against President Trump's policies — which they likened to the dictatorial actions of a monarch — and his military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday. Brown writes for the Associated Press.
Newsweek
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Utah 'No Kings' Protest Update: Man Released in Shooting Probe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Arturo Gamboa, who was taken into custody after carrying a rifle at a "No Kings" protest in Utah last Saturday that ended in a fatal shooting, has been released as prosecutors continue to review evidence in the investigation. Newsweek has reached out to the Salt Lake Countydistrict attorney's office, police department, and Gamboa's lawyer for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was shot during a "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on June 14. He later died at the hospital, with his death marking the most serious incident among a series of coordinated demonstrations held in hundreds of cities last weekend to denounce President Donald Trump's leadership. The police have said that Ah Loo was an "innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire." An armed security member, who was part of the event's "peacekeeping team" fired three rounds after seeing Gamboa with his rifle. "One round struck Gamboa, while another tragically wounded Mr. Ah Loo," the Salt Lake City Police Department said in a June 15 update. What To Know On June 14, police estimate around 10,000 people participated in Salt Lake City's "No Kings" protest. Just before 8 p.m. local time, police reported hearing gunfire, and "panic spread throughout the area," police chief Brian Redd said in a June 15 press release. "Officers found a man who had been shot and immediately began life-saving efforts," the release said, but despite those efforts Ah Loo died at the hospital. He was a father of two, and a celebrity fashion designer. Paramedics transported Gamboa to the hospital and then "detectives later booked Gamboa into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a charge of murder." From interviews with two of the event's "peacekeeping" team members, detectives were told that Gamboa exhibited suspicious behavior which led them to draw their firearms. The "peacekeepers" reportedly told Gamboa to drop the weapon, but instead he "lifted the rifle and began running toward the crowd gathered on State Street, holding the weapon in a firing position," according to the police department's press release. One of the "peacekeepers" fired three rounds, with one striking Gamboa, and another hitting Ah Loo. Gamboa did not fire his gun. The district attorney's office said Friday that it was unable to make a decision on charges against Gamboa. Utah is a constitutional carry state, which allows adults who are legally allowed to obtain firearms can carry them in public. On Friday, "detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department's Homicide Squad presented their initial findings from the ongoing investigation," to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office for legal review, a Friday press release from the police department, which was sent to Newsweek, stated. "This process, known as a case screening, is a key step in any criminal investigation. It serves to analyze legal issues, identify investigative needs, and ensures the matter is prepared for prosecution evaluation, all while detectives continue to investigate," it continued. In Gamboa's release order, Judge James Blanch said he must live with his father and is barred from possessing firearms, limitations to last two months or if criminal charges are pressed against him. Nationwide, other cities experienced violence during last week's protests. In Portland, Oregon, officers deployed tear gas and flash grenades after demonstrators breached an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, injuring four police officers. In Culpeper, Virginia, a 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into a dispersing crowd, striking at least one person. Arturo Gamboa is taken away in handcuffs on a gurney during the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on June 14. Arturo Gamboa is taken away in handcuffs on a gurney during the 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City on June 14. Scott G. Winterton/The Deseret News via AP) What People Are Saying Albert Gamboa, Arturo's father, told the Associated Press earlier this week his son is an "an innocent guy" who was "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on June 14: "The shooting at tonight's protest in Salt Lake City is a deeply troubling act of violence and has no place in our public square." Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a June 15 press release: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed, and with the many community members who were impacted by this traumatic incident." What Happens Next Police are asking the public to share any relevant information, stating: "If you captured any footage, particularly from the moments immediately before, during, or after the shooting, or if you have video of the shooting itself, or the person arrested, please share that evidence with us."
21-06-2025
Man arrested after Utah 'No Kings' rally shooting is released as investigation continues
A man accused of brandishing a rifle at a 'No Kings' rally in Utah — prompting an armed safety volunteer to open fire and accidentally kill a protester — has been released from jail while the investigation continues. Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill's office said Friday that it was unable to make a decision on charges against Arturo Gamboa, who had been jailed on suspicion of murder following the June 14 shooting. Salt Lake City police had said Gamboa brought an assault-style rifle to the rally and was allegedly moving toward the crowd with the weapon raised when a safety volunteer for the event fired three shots, wounding Gamboa and killing a nearby demonstrator, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Gamboa did not fire his rifle and it is unclear what he intended to do with it. His father Albert Gamboa, told The Associated Press earlier this week that his son was 'an innocent guy' who was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. The volunteer has not been publicly identified as investigators have worked to determine who was at fault. Judge James Blanch said in the release order that Gamboa must live with his father and is forbidden from possessing firearms. The conditions terminate after two months or if criminal charges against him are pursued, Blanch wrote. Gamboa's attorney, Greg Skordas, did not immediately respond to a telephone message left for him seeking comment. Police said the day after the shooting that witnesses reported seeing Gamboa lift the rifle when he was ordered to drop it and that instead he began running toward the crowd. He fled but was arrested nearby, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death. Salt Lake City police said in a statement the next day that Gamboa 'knowingly engaged in conduct ... that ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member.' But three days after Gamboa was booked into jail, with no formal charges filed, police acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained uncertain. They issued a public appeal for any video footage related to the shooting or Gamboa, and said detectives were still trying 'to piece together exactly what happened.' The volunteer who confronted Gamboa was described by event organizers as a military veteran whose role as a safety volunteer was to maintain order. Experts say it's extremely rare for such individuals, often called safety marshals, to be armed. They typically rely on calm demeanor, communication and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security. Protest organizers have not said whether or how the safety volunteer who shot Ah Loo was trained or explained why he was armed. All attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons, according to Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for the 50501 Movement. Parker's organization on Thursday said it was disassociating from a local chapter of the group that helped organize the Utah protest. The demonstration involving some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. It was one of hundreds nationwide against President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Man arrested after Utah ‘No Kings' rally shooting is released as investigation continues
A man accused of brandishing a rifle at a 'No Kings' rally in Utah — prompting an armed safety volunteer to open fire and accidentally kill a protester — has been released from jail while the investigation continues. Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill's office said Friday that it was unable to make a decision on charges against Arturo Gamboa, who had been jailed on suspicion of murder following the June 14 shooting. Salt Lake City police had said Gamboa brought an assault-style rifle to the rally and was allegedly moving toward the crowd with the weapon raised when a safety volunteer for the event fired three shots, wounding Gamboa and killing a nearby demonstrator, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo. Gamboa did not fire his rifle and it is unclear what he intended to do with it. His father Albert Gamboa, told The Associated Press earlier this week that his son was 'an innocent guy' who was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' Utah is an open-carry state, meaning people who can legally own a firearm are generally allowed to carry it on a public street. The volunteer has not been publicly identified as investigators have worked to determine who was at fault. Judge James Blanch said in the release order that Gamboa must live with his father and is forbidden from possessing firearms. The conditions terminate after two months or if criminal charges against him are pursued, Blanch wrote. Gamboa's attorney, Greg Skordas, did not immediately respond to a telephone message left for him seeking comment. Police said the day after the shooting that witnesses reported seeing Gamboa lift the rifle when he was ordered to drop it and that instead he began running toward the crowd. He fled but was arrested nearby, accused of creating the dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death. Salt Lake City police said in a statement the next day that Gamboa 'knowingly engaged in conduct … that ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member.' But three days after Gamboa was booked into jail, with no formal charges filed, police acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained uncertain. They issued a public appeal for any video footage related to the shooting or Gamboa, and said detectives were still trying 'to piece together exactly what happened.' The volunteer who confronted Gamboa was described by event organizers as a military veteran whose role as a safety volunteer was to maintain order. Experts say it's extremely rare for such individuals, often called safety marshals, to be armed. They typically rely on calm demeanor, communication and relationships with police and protesters to help keep order, said Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor. Police said the permit for the protest did not specify that there would be armed security. Protest organizers have not said whether or how the safety volunteer who shot Ah Loo was trained or explained why he was armed. All attendees, including those in safety roles, were asked not to bring weapons, according to Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for the 50501 Movement. Parker's organization on Thursday said it was disassociating from a local chapter of the group that helped organize the Utah protest. The demonstration involving some 18,000 people was otherwise peaceful. It was one of hundreds nationwide against President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, which marked the Army's 250th anniversary and coincided with Trump's birthday.
