Former Project Runway contestant Arthur Folasa — otherwise known as Afa Ah Loo — was killed during a “No Kings” protest on Saturday. The Samoan fashion designer attended the demonstration in Salt Lake City, Utah and was caught in the middle of gunfire that broke out. He was 39 years old, as reported by WWD.
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According to Deadline, police say the shooter was a “peacekeeper” who began firing after a man with an AR-15-style rifle aimed it at the crowd. The man with the rifle was identified as Arturo Gamboa, who was wearing an all-black outfit and a black mask, and attempted to fire the gun at the demonstration. Deadline writes that two men saw Gamboa move away from the crowd and to a secluded area, where he seemed to have drawn his gun. One of the two men, who were described as “peacekeepers,” saw this and fired three rounds. One hit Gamboa and another killed Ah Loo, Deadline reports.
The publication reported that this “peacekeeper” was allegedly “recruited by rally organizers, though a spokesperson for the organizers has said that the ‘safety teams’ were asked not to bring guns.”
The Salt Lake City police department gave Deadline a statement that said, “As panic spread throughout the area, hundreds of people ran for safety, hiding in parking garages, behind barriers, and going into nearby businesses. Officers found a man who had been shot and immediately began life-saving efforts.” It continued, “Despite those efforts, the man died at the hospital. The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.”
The police department’s statement said that “Ah Loo was participating in the demonstration and appears to have been an innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire.”
Ah Loo was a beloved member of the Project Runway community after competing on the show in season 17. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and their two kids.
Most recently, he dressed Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, for the premiere of Moana 2. She posted a tribute to the late designer on her Instagram. “There are no words to hold the grief of losing [Ah Loo],” the caption of her post reads. “As a Samoan fashion designer, Afa’s creations are and remain thoughtful, elegant and powerful portrayals of Pacific culture.”
“I am still amazed to have worn his custom designs for the most significant event of my career; the world premiere of Moana 2. Your artistry will never be forgotten; and neither will your peaceful protest,” she wrote. “My deepest condolences, sympathies and Aloha to his family, and all who felt his impact. May you rest peacefully with our Father, Afa. Auwe. Auwe. Auwe.”
This story is still developing…