Arthur Folasa a Lu, 39, killed in the “No Kings” protest, was a contestant on the project’s runway and designed the outfit for “Moana 2”

Arthur Folasa a Lu, 39, was killed Saturday night. Two men shot a demonstrator who allegedly swinging a rifle, and one accidentally attacked ah loo in his stomach, authorities said. Ah Loo later died in the hospital.

Salt Lake City Police said Monday it remains unclear whether an individual who identified himself as part of a “peacekeeping” team in protest was brought by the event organizers or acted on its own initiative.

24-year-old Arturo Gamboa never shot a rifle pointing to a protester, but said police arrested him on murder charges, creating a dangerous situation that led to Ah Loo’s death. Police said they are investigating whether the man who shot Gamboa and whether it was justified by firing his gun. He has not been publicly identified.

The victim was a self-taught designer

Ah Loo leaves behind his wife and two young children. gofundme A page about his family that raised over $100,000 in 48 hours.

The self-taught fashion designer, known many as AFA, has dedicated his life to doing “good things for his neighbors and the community,” best friend Rep. Verona Mauga told The Associated Press. Their family came from the small village of Lotopa in Samoa, she said.

Ah Loo was born in Samoa and lived in Utah for about a decade, his friend Benjamin Powell said.

Born in Hawaii, Mauga was in a “No Kings” protest a few blocks from where Ah Loo was shot. Democrats said they only realized something was wrong when they saw the crowds scattered around.

Peaceful protests will be fatal

Saturday’s protest was one of hundreds of cities across the country to counter President Donald Trump. Washington’s Military Parademarks the 250th anniversary of the Army, Trump’s birthday.

Salt Lake City event permits do not contain records indicating the presence of armed security, police said.

Carl Moore, a 49-year-old indigenous advocate, was filming the protest when three gunshots rang out in a crowd estimated at 10,000. Moore said he observed confusion among police as protesters hid behind the barrier and took shelter in parking lots and nearby businesses.

“They don’t know what they’re looking for. They scream, ‘How does he look?’,” Moore recalled.

Weaving culture and community through fashion

Mauga said he was proud that his final moments were spent defending what he believed in.

“If AFA goes out of anything other than natural causes, it will stand up for marginalized, vulnerable communities and make sure people are speaking up,” she said.

Powell, a hair salon innovator from Fiji, co-founded with Create Pacific and Ah Loo shortly after meeting four years ago. The organization is elevating Pacific Island artists and allowing a new generation to connect with their heritage.

The two artists were friends with unusual creative synergies, Powell said. Ah Loo’s vibrant work weaves traditional Pacific Island outfits with modern silhouettes and designs. He used indigenous peoples in Samoa as a motif, and frequently incorporated tapa, a fabric made from the bark of the Pacific Islands.

Powell praised Ah Loo’s attention to detail that made his work unique.

“You’ll soon know that it’s an AH Lou design,” he said.

Ah Loo was a contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway” in 2019. This closes the runway deadline as fashion designers compete in front of celebrity judges.

Recently he designed clothes for animated stars. Disney Hawaiian actor Aurii Krabarriho in the film “Moana 2.” According to an interview with Vogue, Cravalho was dressed in Hawaiian feather inspired by the Hawaiian feathers worn by ancient Hawaiian royals last November at the red carpet premiere of a Hawaiian film.

Honor after death

in Instagram On Monday, Krabaliho said, “There are no words to express the sadness of losing.”

“My deepest sadness of dol’s opinion, sympathy, and all those who felt his influence on his family and his influence,” Krabaryo wrote.

Powell and Ar Lou were working on the upcoming August fashion show when he passed away. Powell said the show will continue and honor Ah Loo’s unwavering commitment to his community.

Ah Loo also volunteered his time and resources to adjust clothes for those in need, and often refused to supplement his work to people, Mauga said. Sometimes he playfully criticized the outfits that state legislators wore in the campaign trail, and was able to invite her into his studio to create her new blazers and dresses.

“He was very involved in what was going on in the community,” Mauga said. “He cared about making a difference.”