Murder of Laura Ann Carleton

On August 18, 2023, 66-year-old Laura Ann "Lauri" Carleton was murdered in connection with hanging a pride flag outside the Mag.Pi clothing store that she owned, located in Cedar Glen, California, following an altercation with a patron.[2] According to law enforcement, detectives learned the suspected killer, 26-year-old Travis Ikeguchi,[3] made "several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton."[4][5] The murder is being investigated as a possible hate crime.[6]

Murder of Laura Ann Carleton
Part of 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States
Image of Lauri Carleton
Location of the incident in California
DateAugust 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
Time5 p.m. PT[1]
LocationCedar Glen, California, U.S.
Coordinates34°15′20.32″N 117°10′18.53″W
TypeShooting
MotiveAnti-LGBT sentiment
PerpetratorTravis Ikeguchi
Deaths2 (including the perpetrator)

Later that day, Ikeguchi was shot and killed by police after opening fire on them. The murder occurred amid a widespread right-wing anti-LGBT campaign in the United States.

People involved

Laura Ann Carleton

Lauri Carleton was a 66-year-old businesswoman in Cedar Glen. She studied fashion at the ArtCenter College of Design a private art university in Pasadena, California,[7] and worked 15 years as an executive at Kenneth Cole.[8] She was the mother of nine children.[9] Although not a member of the community herself, Carleton was an LGBTQ+ ally. According to a friend, Carleton experienced prior harassment due to her pride flags and once stated, "I'm scared that I'm going to get into an altercation some day."[10]

Perpetrator

The killer was Travis Ikeguchi, a 26-year-old man from Cedar Glen.[11] He regularly posted anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion messages on Twitter and Gab.[12][13] In one post, Ikeguchi wrote "What to do with the flag?" alongside an image of burning the rainbow flag.[14] According to media reports, Ikeguchi also posted statements including, "We need to STOP COMPROMISING on this LGBT dictatorship [...] True followers of Christ SHOULD NOT and NEVER TOLERATE this stupid indoctrination of LGBT agenda in marriage or in our own businesses."[14] He frequently retweeted Bible verses, Christian nationalist content, and anti-Semitic materials.[15] He was critical of former President Donald Trump and instead supported Tom Hoefling, a far-right Constitution Party and American Independent Party candidate for President.[16][17][18] Ikeguchi was a supporter of anti-trans blogger Matt Walsh, having retweeted and reposted his content on many occasions.[19][20][21]

Murder

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, Ikeguchi made disparaging remarks about the pride flag hanging outside Carleton's store.[22] Following a confrontation in which he used homophobic slurs, Ikeguchi shot Carleton.[23][24] When police arrived, Carleton was found suffering from a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at the scene.[25] The shooting was filmed by the store's closed-circuit cameras.[26]

Authorities then received notice that Ikeguchi had been seen nearby.[27] After locating Ikeguchi, who was armed with a handgun, a confrontation with police occurred in which Ikeguchi opened fire on officers, striking several squad cars.[28] Police returned fire, killing Ikeguchi, who was pronounced dead on the scene.[29][30]

Reactions

Public figures

Director Paul Feig was a friend of Carleton's. In a Tweet, he connected Carleton's death to a large wave of anti-LGBT backlash, writing, "What happened to her is an absolute tragedy. If people don't think anti-gay & trans rhetoric isn't dangerous, think again."[4] On Instagram, actress Bridget Everett wrote, "All that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has a price. And now, Lauri's husband Bort, her daughters, friends and community are devastated. And for what?"[4]

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis wrote, "I feel deeply saddened by this. This is our country now and we can’t look away. Rest in peace Laura Ann Carleton, a mother of nine."[31] UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Kristin Davis stated, "I cannot comprehend what has happened and I can only imagine what her family and close friends are going through. We cannot rest in our work towards love and understanding and equality for every person. It is abundantly clear that divisive senseless hate is the only motive for this hate crime."[32]

Organizations

The President of the LGBT-rights organization GLAAD stated, "The tragic, targeted killing of Lauri over the Pride flag displayed at her Lake Arrowhead store was senseless and, unfortunately, part of a growing number of attacks on LGBTQ people and our allies."[33]

Politicians

In a statement, San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe wrote, "This senseless act of hate and violence is unthinkable and I stand with my mountain communities as we mourn this incredible loss. Everyone deserves to live free of hate and discrimination and practice their constitutional right of freedom of speech. Lauri was a remarkable member of the community and I send my deepest condolences to her family in this time of grief."[34] California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote, "This is absolutely horrific. A shop owner has been shot and killed by a man after he criticized the pride flag hanging outside her business. Lauri leaves behind her husband and 9 children. This disgusting hate has no place in CA."[35]

In response to the shooting California State Senator Scott Wiener wrote, "The threat to our community is real. And it flows directly from the violent rhetoric being directed at us."[36] House Representative Cori Bush wrote, "This is the danger of the onslaught of homophobia & transphobia we’re seeing across the country. We won’t forget Lauri or her commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights."[37]

Family

In a phone interview, Carleton's daughter told The New York Times, "I just want the world to remember her for who she was. And that she passed away in a place that she cherished, doing what she loved and defending something that was so important to her."[38]

References
  1. Hutchinson, Bill. "California store owner shot dead in dispute over displaying Pride flag: Police". ABC News. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  2. "California shop owner shot dead over LGBTQ+ Pride flag displayed at store". The Guardian. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  3. "California shop owner shot dead over LGBTQ+ Pride flag displayed at store". MSN. August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  4. Legaspi, Althea (August 20, 2023). "Paul Feig, Bridget Everett Pay Tribute to Lauri Carleton Who Was Killed After Hanging Pride Flag". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  5. "Suspect who killed store owner had ripped down Pride flag and shouted homophobic slurs, sheriff says". Washington Post.
  6. Hurley, Bevan; Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (August 22, 2023). "Travis Ikeguchi news – live: Laura Carleton family say killer is 'irrelevant' as his anti-LGBT+ history revealed". The Independent. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  7. Ebrahimji, Andy Rose,Alisha (August 21, 2023). "A Californian was killed after an argument over a Pride flag hanging outside her clothing store, deputies say". CNN. Retrieved August 21, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Franklin, Jonathan. "A California store owner was shot and killed over a Pride flag displayed at her shop". NPR. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  9. "California store owner shot dead after alleged dispute over gay Pride flag: police". Fox News. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  10. Dev, S. "Slain California store owner feared an altercation over Pride flags, her friend says". CBS News. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  11. Hurley, Bevan; Rahaman Sarkar, Alisha. "Laura Carleton shooting – latest: Travis Ikeguchi's anti-LGBT+ online history revealed after Pride flag murder". Independent. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. Goldberg, Noah. "Laura Ann Carleton's alleged killer identified; anti-LGBTQ rants unearthed". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. Lavietes, Matt; Blankstein, Andrew. "Suspect named in fatal shooting of California store owner over a Pride flag". NBC News. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  14. Mahapatra, Tuhin Das. ""Stop compromising to LGBT dictatorship": Who was Travis Ikeguchi, the California Pride Flag killer?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  15. Gilbert, David. "Man Who Shot Store Owner for Flying Pride Flag Was a Far-Right Conspiracist". Vice. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  16. "Travis Ikeguchi: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know".
  17. "Laura Carleton's killer was the son of a decorated police officer". independent.
  18. "Final moments before pride flag killing emerge, along with disturbing portrait of gunman". LA Times.
  19. "Killing over Pride flag follows far right's years of criticism of the LGBTQ symbol". NBC News.
  20. "Man Who Shot Store Owner for Flying Pride Flag Was a Far-Right Conspiracist". Vice Magazine.
  21. "Pride flag killer was a fan of Matt Walsh & other extremist social media accounts". LBGQTNation.
  22. Madani, Doha (August 20, 2023). "California store owner, mother of 9, fatally shot over a Pride flag displayed in her shop". NBC News. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  23. Goldberg, Noah. "Who was Travis Ikeguchi? Shooter in pride flag killing posted far-right, anti-LGBTQ content". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  24. Rice, Nicholas. "Calif. Woman Murdered, Suspect Killed After Pride Flag Dispute: Police". People Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  25. Walsh, Aoife (August 20, 2023). "Man kills shopkeeper in US state of California after disparaging Pride flag". BBC News. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  26. Goldberg, Noah. "Final moments before pride flag killing emerge, along with disturbing portrait of gunman". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  27. Piña, Christy (August 20, 2023). "Paul Feig Remembers Friend Who Was Killed for Displaying Pride Flag: "This Intolerance Has to End"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  28. Carless, Will. "In shooting over store's Pride flag, predictions of violence again become reality". USA Today. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  29. Cooper, Alex. "California Woman Gunned Down After Pride Flag Dispute, Police Say". Advocate. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  30. Badash, David. "Suspect in killing of storeowner over LGBTQ flag was far-right conspiracist who promoted Christian nationalism". MSN. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  31. Goldberg, Noah. "A pride flag, an argument and gunfire: The senseless killing of Laura Ann Carleton". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  32. Saqib, Faiza. "A mother and businesswoman whose LGBTQ advocacy cost her her life: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?". Independent. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  33. Bloom, Allison. "GLAAD Responds to the Murder of Laura Carleton as Community Mourns". GLAAD. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  34. Rodriguez, Matthew (August 19, 2023). "San Bernardino deputies shoot and kill homicide suspect in Lake Arrowhead". CBS News. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  35. Newsom, Gavin. "Post by Gavin Newsom". X. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  36. Weiner, Scott. "Post by Scott Weiner". X. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  37. Bush, Cori. "Post by Cori Bush". X. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  38. Mayorquin, Orlando. "Store Owner Is Fatally Shot by Man Who Confronted Her About Pride Flag". The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
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