Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a fashion designer best known for his appearance on Project Runway, was tragically killed over the weekend during a protest in Utah.
The 39-year-old designer was attending a “No Kings” demonstration in Salt Lake City on Saturday when gunfire erupted. According to Salt Lake City Police, Ah Loo was struck during the chaos and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Authorities believe Ah Loo was not the intended target. Preliminary findings indicate that he was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire when two individuals opened fire on a man allegedly brandishing an AR-15-style rifle during the protest.
Investigators say the shooters claimed to be part of the event’s self-described “peacekeeping team.” The man reportedly carrying the rifle has been identified as a 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa. He sustained a gunshot wound during the exchange and, after being treated at a hospital, was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a murder charge.
The SLCPD continues to investigate the incident, including the roles and legitimacy of those who claimed to be “peacekeepers.”
Ah Loo rose to national recognition as a contestant on the 2019 season of Project Runway, where his creative designs and personality left a lasting impression on fans and the fashion community.
His death has left many mourning not only the loss of a talented artist but also a life taken far too soon under senseless circumstances.