Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former “Project Runway” contestant, was fatally shot during a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City on June 14, 2025. Police identified Ah Loo as an innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire that erupted during the demonstration.
The shooting occurred around 7:56 p.m. at 151 South State Street as approximately 10,000 people participated in the permitted demonstration protesting President Donald Trump’s policies. According to police, the incident began when two members of the protest’s “peacekeeping team” spotted 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa behaving suspiciously and moving behind a wall in a secluded area.
The peacekeepers observed Gamboa take an AR-15-style rifle from his backpack and begin manipulating the weapon. When they confronted him with their handguns drawn and ordered him to drop the weapon, Gamboa allegedly raised the rifle into a firing position and ran toward the crowd of protesters. One of the peacekeepers then fired three rounds in response.
One bullet struck Gamboa, causing a minor wound to his side, while another fatally wounded Ah Loo. The gunfire created panic among the demonstrators, with hundreds of people running for safety and hiding in parking garages and nearby businesses. Officers found Ah Loo suffering from gunshot wounds and immediately began life-saving efforts, but he died at a local hospital despite their attempts.
Gamboa was found crouching among a group of people with his gunshot wound. He was treated at a hospital before being booked into the Salt Lake County metro jail on a murder charge. Police recovered an AR-15-style rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack at the scene. Gamboa had no prior criminal history, according to authorities.
However, on June 21, Gamboa was released from custody after the district attorney’s office indicated they were unable to make a decision on charges following the shooting. Judge James Blanch ordered that Gamboa must live with his father and is forbidden from possessing firearms. The conditions terminate after two months or if criminal charges are pursued.
Ah Loo, known to friends and family as “Afa,” was a prominent figure in the Pacific Islander community and the first Samoan designer to appear on “Project Runway” in 2019. Born and raised in Samoa, he later moved to Utah where he continued his work as a fashion designer and became an American citizen. Utah Representative Verona Mauga noted that Ah Loo had recently voted in his first American election in 2024 and was excited about participating in the democratic process.
The designer created clothing for high-profile clients, including “Moana” star Auli’i Cravalho and cast members of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” His designs were showcased at fashion shows worldwide, including displays at Buckingham Palace and for the “Moana 2” premiere. Ah Loo co-founded the nonprofit Creative Pacific, an organization aimed at uplifting Pacific Islander artists and designers.
Mauga, who was with Ah Loo earlier that evening at Pioneer Park before the march began, described him as someone who believed in equity and equality for all people and communities. She explained that his participation in the protest aligned with his values of basic human rights for everyone. The demonstration was Ah Loo’s third march within a week, following his participation in the Utah Pride Parade and an immigration rally.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd stated that “our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed.” The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the role of the peacekeeping team. The protest organizers had reportedly asked all attendees, including peacekeepers, not to bring weapons to the event.
Ah Loo is survived by his wife, Laura Empey, and their two children, Vera Amioga and Isaac Eti, who live in Clearfield, Utah. A public funeral service was held on June 27 at the Grand Ballroom of the Salt Palace Convention Center, followed by a private graveside service for family and close friends the next day.
The family described Ah Loo as a champion of ideas and mentor who remained humble despite his international recognition. They emphasized that his proudest achievement was being a father, stating that he found more joy in making his children laugh than in any runway show. The national 50501 organization, which helped coordinate the protests, subsequently cut ties with the Salt Lake group over the shooting incident.
