SALT LAKE CITY — Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was a beloved figure in northern Utah, known for his fashion designs that brought him acclaim on national television and the wedding and prom dresses he created for those in the Beehive State.
Those who knew Ah Loo, affectionately known as Afa, say he wasn’t just a fashion designer; they say he touched the lives of many people all across the world.
Many are now in mourning after the 39-year-old was killed by a stray bullet while participating in what had been a peaceful protest march through the streets of Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Calling his death an "unimaginable loss," friends of Ah Loo and his wife, Laura, have organized a fundraiser to help raise money for the family he leaves behind, which includes a young daughter and son.
Julia Sandor and Max Roth talk about Ah Loo's legacy:
Ah Loo told stories through needle and thread. His business partner, Benjamin Powell, says he did that best.
“I think he was larger than life. I think he was an icon in our community. I wouldn’t say I think — I know," said Powell, co-founder of Creative Pacific. "I also know that he worked really hard at really putting his best foot forward to empower young Pacific Islanders and those who wanted to be creative in this world that we live in.”
"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 shared.
Local designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo appeared below on FOX 13's "The Place" in January:
“It was just really disheartening to see this is how his life ended: by gun violence," said Richard Wolfgramm, one of Ah Loo's friends. "Doing something that he really was passionate about. He mentioned to me that day, that this was his third rally that he participated in that week.”
But his friends don’t want him to be remembered by this tragedy. They want people to remember the color he brought into this world.
“He was a big believer in kindness, love and generosity," said Janae Pettit. "I keep thinking about what he would want us to do... I think he would want us to continue being forces for good, to continue that legacy of kindness and generosity and love.”
Through the years, Ah Loo appeared several times on FOX 13's "The Place, including a visit to the station in January. His design acumen also brought him nationwide attention as a contestant on "Project Runway."
Ah Loo was accidentally shot Saturday night by a volunteer at the "No Kings" protest who was trying to apprehend a suspect who had allegedly pulled an AR-15 from his backpack. The suspect, Arturo Gamboa, was later taken into custody and was arrested on suspicion of murder despite not firing his weapon.
"No Kings" protests below draw huge crowds in multiple cities across Utah:
The shooting came at the completion of the downtown march that followed a protest earlier in the evening that drew over 10,000 people to Pioneer Park. Thousands of protesters gathered at "No Kings" events across the state on Saturday, with police reporting no disturbances or violence until the shooting in Salt Lake City.
