Utah-based Samoan designer Afa Ah Loo tragically died on Saturday night after being shot during Salt Lake City’s “No Kings” protest where a crowd of about 10,000 people marched, the Salt Lake City Police Department have confirmed.
Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo was shot at the demonstration. Despite life-saving efforts from SWAT medics and Salt Lake City Fire, the much loved Samoan-born designer died at an area hospital.
Samoa is waking up to the tragic news and social media posts and tributes are starting to come through for the renowned Samoan fashion designer known for blending traditional Samoan motifs with contemporary designs.
Known for using traditional Samoan materials in his designs, Afa Ah Loo has gained international recognition, showcasing his work in various global fashion events and on runways from Los Angeles to London.
Chaotic Scene
As of Monday morning (Samoa time) there were still unreleased details about the incident as the investigation is ongoing, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a news conference.
Police Chief Brian Redd said a chaotic scene ensued after two armed men in high visibility vests, described as “possibly part of the event’s peacekeeping team” saw 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa separating from the crowd.
“Gamboa moved behind a wall and pulled out a rifle and starting to manipulate it,” said Redd.
“Witnesses say Gamboa was then confronted by these two men but Gamboa raised the weapon in a firing position and began running toward the crowd..
“One of the individuals fired three rounds, striking Gamboa, however, also tragically striking the man who later died.”
The preliminary police investigation found that the victim was not the intended target, “but rather an innocent bystander participating in the demonstration,” Redd said.
Gamboa sustained a minor gunshot wound in the confrontation.
As the scene unfolded, a bystander took a backpack from Gamboa that contained an AR-15 style rifle and a gas mask, Redd said.
Gamboa’s motivations for being at the protest are still unclear, and there is no indication that others were working with him, said the Police Chief.
Detectives booked Gamboa into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of murder. Gamboa is said to have no criminal history. Jail documents state he is being held without bail.
Police had not taken any action against the two peacekeeping members as of Sunday, Redd said. The man who fired the shots is cooperating with police.
The scene was chaotic and unfolded very quickly, Redd said, but many people assisted the officers.
“The crowd actually pointed him [Gamboa] out to law enforcement, and their actions were heroic,” Redd said.
In a Facebook post Monday morning, Utah 50501 — the group that organized Saturday’s protest — said it is currently working with police.
“Our team was directly involved. We have been in direct contact with law enforcement,” the Facebook post read. “Some of you seem to think a keyboard and social media give you a free pass to be nasty and accusatory. Our teams just had to deal with something extremely traumatizing and when faced with personal risk to their own lives, chose to run towards the danger in order to serve this community.”
The group said it is working to set up a vigil for the victim.
“We respectfully ask to refrain from speculation about the alleged shooter’s motives and identity — that information will come out soon enough. It is better to wait for the facts, even though it is difficult given the emotional and charged nature of this incident,” the group said in a Facebook post.
Friends and family of Afa Ah Loo are shocked by the news of his sudden death. We convey our deepest condolences to Afa’s family and friends at this time.
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