A deadly dispute erupted over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag flown outside a clothing store in Cedar Glen, California, leading to the fatal shooting of the store’s 66-year-old owner, Laura Ann Carleton. The perpetrator fled the scene following the shooting on Friday night, but was later located and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Before the fatal incident, the suspect allegedly made several disparaging remarks about the rainbow flag displayed outside Carleton’s store, Mag.Pi. The specifics of the confrontation between police and the man, whose identity had not been released as of Sunday, remain unclear.
Carleton, also known as “Lauri,” leaves behind her husband and nine children from a blended family. Despite not identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, Carleton was recognized for her efforts to help and advocate for all, and was reportedly defending her Pride flags on the night of the shooting.
The tragic incident led to an outpouring of support on social media, with many expressing their shock and sorrow on the store’s accounts, often using rainbow flag emojis. This case sheds light on the ongoing threats and violence faced by individuals and entities supporting LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting the urgent need for laws and measures that protect individuals from hate crimes.