Project Runway Contestant Arthur Folasa 'Afa' Ah Loo Shot And Killed At Utah No Kings Protest

Fashion designer Arthur Folasa "Afa" Ah Loo, who competed in Season 17 of Project Runway, was shot and killed during a No Kings protest on Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah, local police confirm. He was 39 years old.

Ah Loo was caught in the crossfire when armed security guards (dubbed "peacekeepers" by police) opened fire on Arturo Gamboa, who was reportedly seen pulling an AR-15-style rifle from his backpack and running towards the crowd. One of the peacekeepers fired three bullets, with one hitting Gamboa and one hitting Ah Loo, who "appears to have been an innocent bystander," according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. Ah Loo was taken to a local hospital but died there. (The exact role of these "peacekeepers" is still under investigation.)

Born and raised in Samoa, Ah Loo was a self-taught designer whose bold designs served as an ode to his Samoan roots. He competed in Season 17 of Project Runway, which aired on Bravo in 2019, and was eliminated in the fourth episode. Ah Loo is survived by his wife Laura and their two children.

"Heartbroken by the tragic loss of Afa Ah Loo. My prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew him," Utah State Rep. Doug Fiefia wrote on social media. "He was a bright light in our Polynesian community and will be deeply missed. May his loved ones feel peace and comfort during this difficult time."