A peaceful protest in Salt Lake City turned tragic when beloved fashion designer and Project Runway alum Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was fatally shot.
The 39-year-old was attending a “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday, June 14, when he was caught in a shocking outburst of gunfire. According to police, Ah Loo was an innocent bystander and not the intended target, but the bullet that hit him ultimately cost him his life.
The protest, which was held in opposition to Donald Trump’s administration, had gathered crowds near 151 South State Street. Around 7:56 p.m., Salt Lake City Police Department officers responded to the sound of gunshots. A sergeant with the department’s Motor Squad was first to report the incident, and police quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area. They found Ah Loo critically wounded and immediately began life-saving efforts alongside SWAT, the Salt Lake City Fire Department, and Gold Cross Ambulance. Despite all efforts, he passed away at the hospital. His official cause of death is now being handled by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.
The chaos didn’t end there. Police were soon directed toward 102 South 200 East, where they found 24-year-old suspect Arturo Gamboa, crouched among a crowd with a gunshot wound. He was wearing black, including a mask, and was taken to the hospital. Eyewitnesses identified him as acting suspiciously before the shooting began. Two men from the protest’s peacekeeping team said they saw Gamboa pull an AR-15-style rifle from a backpack after moving to a secluded area. They drew their own weapons and demanded he drop it. Instead, Gamboa allegedly ran straight into the crowd holding the rifle in a firing stance. One peacekeeper fired a round that hit Gamboa, and another round fatally struck Ah Loo.
Though Gamboa didn’t fire the fatal shot, he has been charged with murder. According to SLCPD detectives, there’s probable cause that Gamboa’s actions showed “a depraved indifference to human life.” By knowingly putting people at extreme risk, they believe he is responsible for Ah Loo’s tragic death. The case is still under investigation, and the full motive behind Gamboa’s actions hasn’t been determined.
Ah Loo’s death has left a huge hole in both the fashion world and his community. He was born and raised in Lotopa and Falelima, Samoa, and rose to international attention after competing on Project Runway in 2019, becoming the show’s first-ever Samoan contestant. He returned for Project Runway Redemption, continuing to share his culture and creativity with the world. His talent, heart, and energy had earned him global recognition and love from his fans.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd issued a statement offering condolences to Ah Loo’s family and all those affected by the traumatic incident. “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,” he said.
For those who knew and followed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, the news is devastating. What was meant to be a peaceful protest for justice turned into a fatal moment that took a vibrant, creative soul far too soon. As the investigation continues, his memory is being honored by loved ones and fans across the world.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
