'Incredible talent': Community remembers Utah man killed at 'No Kings' protest
The Utah man who was shot and killed at the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on June 14 is being remembered as a beloved fashion designer known for dedicating his life to celebrating the culture and diversity of the Pacific Islands.
The man, who was identified as Utah resident Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was killed after being caught in the crossfire between a person who pulled out a rifle at demonstrators and members of a peacekeeping team for the protest, the Salt Lake City Police Department said in an update on June 15. The shooting occurred at around 7:56 p.m. local time while a large crowd of demonstrators marched through the city's downtown area.
Officers who were facilitating traffic during the protest, which drew about 10,000 people, reported hearing gunfire. The gunshots caused hundreds of people to flee for safety, with some hiding behind barriers and running into nearby parking garages and businesses, according to police.
Officers immediately responded to the scene, secured the area, and searched for any active threats, police said. Officers discovered a man who sustained a gunshot wound and provided emergency care.
Ah Loo later died at the hospital. Police said the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Ah Loo was participating in the "No Kings" demonstration and is believed to be an "innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire," according to police.
Police accused Arturo Gamboa, 24, of brandishing a rifle at demonstrators and running away from two peacekeepers, who ordered him to drop the weapon. Police said Gamboa and Ah Loo were both struck by gunfire after one of the peacekeepers fired three rounds.
"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," Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a statement. "When this shooting happened, the response of our officers and detectives was fast, brave, and highly coordinated. It speaks to the caliber of this great department and our law enforcement partners."
The incident remains under investigation, police said, adding that they are also looking into the actions of the peacekeepers.
Police: Suspect taken into custody on murder charge
After officers reported hearing gunfire, they were notified at about 8 p.m. of another man with a gunshot wound in the area. Police said they found the man, who was dressed in all black clothing and wearing a mask, crouching among a group of people.
As officers approached the scene, police said witnesses pointed out a nearby firearm, which was described as an AR-15-style rifle. Officers also discovered a gas mask, additional black clothing, and a backpack in the area.
The man was later identified as Gamboa and was transported to a local hospital, according to police. Investigators later took Gamboa into custody, and he was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a murder charge.
Officers also detained two men who were wearing neon green vests and carrying handguns, police said. The men were identified as members of the peacekeeping team for the "No Kings" demonstration.
The two peacekeepers told investigators that they saw Gamboa leave the crowd of demonstrators and move into a secluded area behind a wall, which they found suspicious, according to police. One of the peacekeepers told investigators that he saw Gamboa pull out an AR-15-style rifle from a backpack.
The peacekeepers then drew their firearms and ordered Gamboa to drop the rifle, police said. Witnesses reported to authorities that they saw Gamboa lift the rifle and run toward the crowd while holding the weapon in a firing position.
One of the peacekeepers fired three rounds, according to police. One round struck Gamboa, and another round hit Ah Loo.
"Detectives have not been able to determine, at this time, why Gamboa pulled out his rifle and began to manipulate it or why he ran from the peacekeepers when they confronted him," police said. "Detectives have developed probable cause that Gamboa acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member."
'Deeply connected to his culture and community'
Ah Loo, who went by the name Afa, was a husband, a father of two children, and a successful fashion designer, according to a GoFundMe page established to help his family with funeral expenses.
He was also a co-founder of the nonprofit Creative Pacific, which celebrates culture and creativity, and hosts an event that showcases the diversity of the Pacific Islands and other areas, according to the organization's website. The Salt Lake Tribune reported in 2019 that Ah Loo appeared as a contestant on the fashion design reality TV show "Project Runway."
"Afa was a proud Samoan, deeply connected to his culture and community. Through his work with the nonprofit Creative Pacific and his incredible talent as a fashion designer, he shared his heritage with passion and creativity," the GoFundMe page states. "But more than anything, Afa was proud of the life he built with his wife, Laura, and their two beautiful children, Vera and Isaac."
Ah Loo, who was from Samoa, later designed garments for high-profile Pacific Islanders, including "Moana" star Auli’i Cravalho and "Moana 2" co-director David Derrick Jr. In a statement on social media, Cravalho called Ah Loo's creations "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," Cravalho said in the social media post. "Your artistry will never be forgotten, and neither will your peaceful protest. 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."
Utah Rep. Verona Mauga told The Salt Lake Tribune that she and Ah Loo grew up together, and that both of their families were from the same village in Samoa. Mauga said his death leaves a "gaping hole" in the Pacific Islander and Polynesian community in Utah, the newspaper reported on June 16.
Reports: Peacekeepers for protest were volunteers
Sarah Parker, a national coordinator with the 50501 Movement — which was partnered with the "No Kings" demonstrations — told The New York Times and the Associated Press that the protest's peacekeeping team included volunteers who were responsible for keeping attendees safe.
Parker said there were about 15 to 20 volunteers at the demonstration in Salt Lake City, according to the Times. It was not clear whether all the volunteers were armed, the Times reported.
Parker also noted that volunteer peacekeeping teams are common for protests, according to AP. She added that the organizers had asked attendees, including the volunteers, not to bring weapons to the event, AP reported.
There are no regulations for how guns are carried in public in Utah, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control group.
In a statement on June 16, the 50501 Movement offered its support to the residents of Salt Lake City, the Pacific Islander community, and Ah Loo's family.
"We are still trying to figure out exactly what happened that led to this tragedy. It's become clear that we do not have a complete understanding yet," the organization said. "All we know for sure is that this was an extremely horrifying situation that displayed to the entire world that no one should ever bring firearms to a protest. As we get more information we will share it."
Shooting occurs during widespread 'No Kings' protests
"No Kings" demonstrations across the United States drew large crowds on June 14. The protests, which were mostly calm and peaceful, were held in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies and coincided with the controversial parade for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
A demonstration in Northern Virginia, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C., was met with violence after a man intentionally drove an SUV through a crowd of departing protesters, striking at least one person, police said.
Police in Los Angeles hit protesters with batons, fired tear gas, and ordered a large crowd in downtown to disperse; authorities said they were responding to people throwing "rocks, bricks, bottles," and "fireworks" at officials.
Meanwhile, authorities said a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were killed and another lawmaker and his wife were injured at their homes by a man impersonating law enforcement in what Gov. Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination."
In a statement, the "No Kings" group said it was adhering to guidance from the Minnesota State Patrol and Walz, who urged people not to attend any rallies on June 14.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Sarah D. Wire, Jeanine Santucci, and Jonathan Limehouse, Paste BN