Arthur Folasa Ah Loo Killed in Shooting at Salt Lake ‘No Kings Day’ Event
Salt Lake City, UT — What began as a peaceful and spirited day of protest quickly descended into tragedy on Saturday night, June 14, 2025, as the life of Arthur Folasa Ah Loo—also known in the fashion world as Afa Ah Loo—was tragically cut short during the “No Kings Day” demonstration in downtown Salt Lake City.
Ah Loo, 39, a beloved and internationally recognized Samoan-American fashion designer, was attending the protest as one of nearly 10,000 people gathered to celebrate community, cultural expression, and the power of civic voice. The march, organized as an annual event to promote democracy and social justice, took place near 151 South State Street, not far from the Salt Lake City-County Building.
According to officials with the Salt Lake City Police Department, the shooting occurred just before nightfall in a chaotic scene that unfolded near the intersection of 100 South and 200 East. Witnesses described confusion and fear as shots rang out, sending crowds scrambling for cover.
Police say the events leading to the shooting began when two armed men wearing high-visibility vests—believed to be affiliated with the event’s peacekeeping volunteers—noticed suspicious behavior from a man later identified as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa. According to Police Chief Brian Redd, Gamboa separated from the crowd and moved behind a wall, where he allegedly retrieved and manipulated a rifle.
Witnesses reported that the peacekeepers confronted Gamboa. In that confrontation, Gamboa allegedly raised his weapon into a firing position and ran toward the crowd. One of the peacekeepers then discharged three rounds, intending to neutralize the threat. Tragically, one of those rounds struck Arthur Ah Loo, along with Gamboa.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by Salt Lake City SWAT medics and Fire Department responders, Arthur Ah Loo succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. Gamboa, who also sustained injuries, was taken into custody and is expected to face formal murder charges.
In a press conference on Sunday morning, Police Chief Redd confirmed the incident remains under active investigation, and emphasized that investigators are working to piece together exactly how the fatal bullet struck Ah Loo. “We are committed to transparency and to honoring the life lost,” said Redd. “This was a senseless tragedy in the midst of what should have been a peaceful day.”
The Salt Lake City community and the global Samoan and Pacific Islander communities are mourning the sudden loss of Ah Loo. A cultural icon and fashion innovator, Ah Loo was known for his bold designs, deep pride in his heritage, and a commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices through art and design. His work had been featured on runways from New York to the Pacific Islands and had become a symbol of authentic representation.
Tributes have poured in across social media and from members of the arts and activist communities, many expressing shock, sadness, and outrage over the circumstances of his death. Friends describe Ah Loo as someone who was “always full of light” and “committed to peace, beauty, and change.”
“This wasn’t just a loss to his family,” said one close friend. “This is a loss to the world of fashion, to Samoa, to Utah, and to every young person who saw themselves in his journey.”
As the community processes the devastating turn of events, city officials urge calm and ask the public to allow the investigation to continue. Prosecutors are reviewing the circumstances that led to the shooting, and more information is expected in the coming days.
For now, Salt Lake City mourns a man who brought beauty to the world and stood for love and inclusion. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo’s legacy will undoubtedly live on—through the garments he created, the people he inspired, and the change he sought in the world.
