One of Project Runway’s own has sadly been killed. And tragically, it took place at one of the otherwise very peaceful protests around the country over the weekend.
Arthur Folasa “Afa” Ah Loo, who finished in 13th place on Season 17 of the reality fashion competition in 2019, has passed away. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd revealed he was killed in a fatal shooting during the city’s No Kings protest in opposition of Donald Trump on Saturday.
According to early reports, a man named Arturo Gamboa moved away from the crowd and pulled out a firearm from his backpack — a horrifying implication with such a large mass of people gathered. There were some armed “peacekeepers” present. It’s unclear if they were there in any official capacity, but they weren’t law enforcement. One of these peacekeepers saw Gamboa and told him to put down the weapon. Instead, Gamboa ran into the crowd, per reports — leading the “peacekeeper” to fire… hitting the crowd instead. Hitting Afa.
Related: Minnesota Shooting Suspect Captured After 2-Day Manhunt
The police department said in a release that the reality TV vet was an “innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire.” Chief Redd said in a statement:
“Detectives have not been able to determine, at this time, why Gamboa pulled out his rifle and began to manipulate it or why he ran from the peacekeepers when they confronted him.”
They do believe he “acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member.” The statement noted the peacekeepers tried to save Afa’s life after accidentally shooting him:
“The peacekeepers immediately attempted to provide aid to the injured bystander.”
Unfortunately he didn’t make it. So awful. The statement, which came out before Afa’s name had been released, added:
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed, and with the many community members who were impacted by this traumatic incident. When this shooting happened, the response of our officers and detectives was fast, brave, and highly coordinated. It speaks to the caliber of this great department and our law enforcement partners.”
That’s awfully generous toward law enforcement, who… don’t seem to have been involved? The “peacekeeper” who spotted Gamboa, fired into a crowd, and hit a bystander was not associated with the police department, per reports. It’s unclear whose directive it was to have armed guards at all. SLCPD noted “there is no record in the event’s permit indicating the presence of organized or armed security.”
What the heck happened here?! Was this a “good guy with a gun” killing an innocent man? Did it stop a worse tragedy? An investigation is under way.
We’re just incredibly heartbroken for Afa’s loved ones. Rest in peace.
[Images via Afa Ahloo/Instagram/MEGA/WENN.]
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