CEDAR GLEN, Calif. (AP) — A dispute over an LGBTQ+ pleasure flag at a California clothes retailer spiraled into lethal violence this weekend when a person shot and killed the 66-year-old enterprise proprietor proper in entrance of her store, authorities mentioned.
The person ran away from the shop after the capturing Friday night time however was later discovered and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Division.
The company mentioned Laura Ann Carleton was pronounced lifeless at Magazine.Pi, the shop she owned and operated in Cedar Glen. The small group within the San Bernadino Mountains is roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles.
Earlier than the capturing, the person “made a number of disparaging remarks a few rainbow flag that stood exterior the shop,” sheriff’s officers mentioned.
It was not instantly clear what occurred when officers confronted the person, whose identification hadn’t been launched as of Sunday.
Carleton, who most popular to be referred to as “Lauri,” is survived by her husband and 9 kids in a blended household.
An LGBTQ group in close by Lake Arrowhead mentioned Carleton didn’t determine as a member of the LGBTQ+ group. However she hung out serving to and advocating for everybody, and was defending her Pleasure flags positioned in entrance of her store on the night time of the capturing, the group mentioned.
There was an outpouring of assist on social media over the weekend, with commenters expressing shock and disappointment on the shop’s accounts. Many included rainbow flag emojis.
Legislation enforcement businesses in a number of states have investigated the destruction of rainbow Pleasure flags as potential hate crimes lately.
