Reality star, 39, killed during anti-Trump demonstration as gun shots fired
A Project Runway star has been killed at an anti-Trump demonstration in the United States after being caught in crossfire during a shooting incident.
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, died after being struck by gunfire at Saturday’s No Kings Rally in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The fashion designer was accidentally shot by peacekeepers who opened fire when another protester allegedly brandished a rifle at the crowd.
The father of two was rushed to hospital where he later died from his injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident occurred when 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa allegedly pointed a weapon at rally attendees.
Gamboa was ordered to drop the gun but reportedly ran towards the crowd instead, prompting the peacekeeping team to open fire.
Ah Loo became a victim of the chaos that ensued during the confrontation.
The alleged shooter was taken into custody by police on Saturday evening on a murder charge, though detectives remain unclear about his motive.
The Samoan-born designer had recently become an American citizen and cast his first vote in the 2024 election.
Utah Representative Verona Mauga, who had been with Ah Loo earlier that evening at the rally, told KSL TV: “Afa is a person who believed in equity and equality for all people and all communities.
“He believed that everyone was deserving of basic human rights. And that’s why he was there.”
She explained that she was not with him when the shooting occurred, as he was with friends when shots rang out.
Ah Loo appeared on Project Runway in 2019, where he showcased his fashion design talents.
Beyond his television appearance, he co-founded the Creative Pacific Foundation and conducted sewing workshops, sharing his skills with the community.
Mauga said that after not hearing from him following the shooting, they feared “something wrong may have happened”.
She paid tribute to the designer, saying: “He brought joy and laughter to the community, and he shared his art and his talents so freely with people.”
The designer was known for creating garments for family and friends. His commitment to his craft extended beyond personal projects, as he actively taught others through his foundation’s workshops, helping to spread his passion for fashion design throughout his community.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Ah Loo’s widow Laura and their two young children, Vera and Isaac.
The fundraising page describes him as a “beloved husband” and notes that “this unimaginable loss has left a profound void in their lives.”
The campaign has already raised over $173,000 to help with funeral expenses and immediate financial burdens. The fundraiser’s organiser expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response, stating: “The love and support being shown to the Ah Loo family is beyond anything we could have imagined. Laura, Afa, Vera and Isaac are so loved and it shows.”
The page also highlights that Ah Loo was “more than anything” proud of the life he built with his family.