Tragic Shooting at Salt Lake City Protest
A 39-year-old man lost his life over the weekend during a “no-kings” protest in Salt Lake City.
Arthur Forasa a Lu was shot by an individual believed to be part of a peacekeeping team. This incident involved a chaotic moment where a protestor mistakenly attacked A Lu, leading to his eventual death in the hospital, according to authorities.
Detectives are still piecing together the events surrounding the shooting. They remain uncertain about what prompted the shooter to pull out his weapon or flee the peacekeepers. Salt Lake City police officer Brian Redd mentioned at a press briefing that the individual is now facing murder charges related to A Lu’s death.
A GoFundMe set up for A Lu’s family has significantly exceeded expectations, raising over $100,000 in just 48 hours. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
Originally from Samoa and often referred to as AFA, he was a self-taught fashion designer who devoted himself to community service and supporting those around him.
Mauga, who was at the “king’s protest” a few blocks away when the shooting happened, recalled feeling something off when she noticed the crowd beginning to run.
“It’s tragic,” she reflected, noting that A Lu would likely be proud of his final moments spent standing up for his beliefs.
“If AFA is leaving in a way other than from natural causes, it will make people rally for marginalized communities,” Mauga expressed during a conversation with the Associated Press.
Although he often shied away from political issues, A Lu had a unique ability to unite people through culture and service, according to Mauga.
Benjamin Powell, an innovative hair salon artist from Fiji, had been collaborating with A Lu. They co-founded Create Pacific, an organization dedicated to uplifting artists from the Pacific Islands, shortly after meeting four years ago.
The synergy between the two artists was something Powell described as special. A Lu’s vibrant designs seamlessly mixed traditional Pacific island attire with modern styles. He frequently drew inspiration from indigenous people in Samoa and incorporated tapa, a traditional fabric made from tree bark, into his creations.
Powell highlighted A Lu’s keen attention to detail, which made his work distinct.
“You’ll know it’s an AH Lou design right away,” Powell remarked.
At the time of A Lu’s passing, he and Powell were busy preparing for an upcoming fashion show in August. Powell underscored A Lu’s steadfast vision for his community, stating, “The show must go on.”
A Lu’s body of work received numerous accolades over the years. He competed in Bravo’s “Project Runway” in 2017, where fashion designers showcased their creations to celebrity judges.
More recently, he designed clothing for the animated Disney Channel film Moana 2, specifically for Hawaiian actress Aulii Cravalho.
Cravalho wore outfits that beautifully blended traditional and modern styles from her heritage, gracing the red carpet of the film’s premiere in Hawaii last November.
“I was quite assertive when it came to my design, and this was the first time that AFA exceeded my expectations,” Cravalho shared at the time.
However, not all of A Lu’s contributions received widespread recognition, as Mauga pointed out.
A Lu often volunteered to alter clothing for those in need, frequently refusing payment for his time. He playfully critiqued the outfits worn by newly elected Democratic representatives and invited them to his studio for new creations. He also designed dresses for Mauga for various events.
“AFA was truly an integral part of the community,” she said.
