Artist and Fashion Designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo Killed During Protest in Salt Lake City

Police said the fatal incident occurred when two men, allegedly brandishing a rifle at protesters, were shot at by another individual. However, it remains unclear whether the shooter was brought in by the event organizers or acted on their own initiative. The deceased, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, was a successful fashion designer and former "Project Runway" contestant who devoted his life to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands. Ah Loo was born in Samoa, lived in Utah for about a decade, and was married with two young children, leaving behind a wife and two young children.

Key Takeaways:

  • Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and former "Project Runway" contestant, was killed during a protest in Salt Lake City.
  • Ah Loo was devoted to celebrating artists from the Pacific Islands and was part of an organization called Create Pacific, which uplifts artists from the Pacific Islands.
  • The fatal incident occurred when two men, allegedly brandishing a rifle at protesters, were shot at by another individual.
  • Arturo Gamboa, 24, was arrested on murder charges, despite never firing the rifle, for creating a dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo's death.
  • Police are investigating whether the shooter was justified in firing his gun and have not identified the individual publicly.
  • Ah Loo's family, including his wife and two young children, have received over $100,000 in donations on a GoFundMe page.
  • Ah Loo's friend, state Rep. Verona Mauga, described him as a self-taught fashion designer who devoted his life to doing "good things for his neighbors and community."
  • Ah Loo was born in Samoa and lived in Utah for about a decade, working on an upcoming fashion show when he died.
  • His friend Benjamin Powell said "You would know right away that it was an Ah Loo design," admiring his attention to detail that made his work distinctive.

Statistics:

  • 100,000+: The amount of dollars raised for Ah Loo's family on a GoFundMe page.
  • 39: The age of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo at the time of his death.
  • 2: The number of children Ah Loo left behind with his wife.
  • 250: The Army's anniversary that President Donald Trump honored with a proclamation.
  • 3: The number of gunshots that rang out during the protest.
  • 10,000+: The estimated number of people present at the protest.
  • 2019: The year Ah Loo was a contestant on Bravo's "Project Runway."

Sources:

  • Associated Press - https://apnews.com/article/salt-lake-city-utah-shooting-protest-77565e89514a110eab31a2c79a4c16bc
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