Tragedy at Salt Lake City Protest: Acclaimed Samoan Designer Afa Ah Loo Killed by Gunfire During Chaos

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — June 14, 2025 — A peaceful protest in downtown Salt Lake City took a devastating turn Saturday evening when beloved Samoan fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, known professionally as Afa Ah Loo, was fatally shot during a shooting incident near the heart of the demonstration. He was 39 years old.

The incident unfolded during the “No Kings Day” protest, a gathering organized to advocate for social equity and community empowerment. According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, officers were monitoring the protest near 100 South and 200 East when they heard multiple gunshots around 8:00 p.m. and responded immediately.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Ah Loo suffering from a gunshot wound. Life-saving efforts by SWAT medics and paramedics were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.

The Shooter and the Sequence of Events

Authorities have identified the suspect as 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa. Witnesses, including two volunteer peacekeepers working to keep the demonstration safe, reported seeing Gamboa separate himself from the protest crowd, move behind a wall, and prepare a weapon—specifically an AR-15-style rifle.

Fearing an imminent threat, one of the peacekeepers, a licensed concealed-carry holder, drew a handgun and fired three rounds toward Gamboa in an attempt to stop what appeared to be a developing mass shooting. Tragically, one of those bullets struck Afa Ah Loo, who was not involved in the confrontation and was peacefully attending the protest.

Gamboa was hit in the abdomen and tried to blend into the crowd, but several witnesses quickly pointed him out to law enforcement. He was taken into custody without further incident. Police also recovered his rifle, a gas mask, and a backpack, the contents of which have not yet been disclosed.

Chief Redd confirmed that Gamboa never discharged his weapon, and that all shots were fired by the peacekeeper. Gamboa was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail late Saturday on a murder charge, with additional charges under consideration as the investigation continues.

Who Was Afa Ah Loo?

Afa Ah Loo was more than a fashion designer—he was a visionary and cultural ambassador for the Polynesian community. Born in Samoa and raised by his grandparents, Ah Loo turned humble beginnings into an international career, showcasing designs inspired by traditional Samoan patterns and storytelling.

Through his work, he gave voice to the Polynesian identity in modern fashion and often used his platform to inspire young creatives to honor their roots.

“Being Polynesian, I think it’s all I know and who I see myself as,” Ah Loo said in a past interview.
“My parents taught me the value of hard work and perseverance… My advice is to feel the fear and do it anyway. And it’s okay to put yourself first—because there is only one you.”

Ah Loo’s designs were showcased at major fashion events in New York, Los Angeles, and across the Pacific. But those closest to him say his greatest pride came from his mentorship work and efforts to preserve Samoan culture through art.

Community in Shock and Mourning

News of Ah Loo’s death sparked a wave of grief and outrage across Salt Lake City and throughout the Pacific Islander diaspora. Thousands took to social media to express sorrow and disbelief. Vigils, cultural ceremonies, and memorials are already being planned both locally and in his homeland of Samoa.

“We didn’t just lose a designer. We lost a leader, a brother, and a storyteller who made us proud to be Polynesian,” one mourner wrote online.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall released a statement calling Ah Loo’s death “a tragic and senseless loss that has left a hole in our community,” and urged patience as authorities continue the investigation.

Investigation and Legal Review Ongoing

Police, along with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, are reviewing surveillance footage, protest recordings, and ballistic evidence. It remains unclear whether the peacekeeper who fired the shots will face legal consequences, although authorities emphasized he was responding to a perceived deadly threat.

Chief Redd added:

“We understand the community’s pain and frustration. Mr. Ah Loo was an innocent bystander—a bright light whose life ended far too soon. We are committed to uncovering the full truth of what happened.”

Investigators have asked anyone with video or information about the incident to come forward as they work to piece together a complete timeline of events.

A Lasting Legacy

In life, Afa Ah Loo was a force of creativity, culture, and compassion. In death, he has become a symbol of the fragility of peace and the urgent need for vigilance, unity, and accountability in public spaces.

As the community mourns, it also honors the memory of a man whose designs told stories of resilience, beauty, and cultural pride—and whose voice will not be forgotten.

“Fa’amalie atu, Afa. You may be gone, but your light and your legacy remain,” said one tribute posted Sunday morning.

Afa Ah Loo leaves behind family, friends, colleagues, and thousands of admirers who will continue to carry forward the messages he lived by: to be bold, to love your roots, and to never stop dreaming.