A 66-year-old woman in Southern California was tragically killed on Friday for displaying a Pride flag outside her store, according to local law enforcement.
Deputies responded to a shooting incident at Mag Pi, a clothing store in Lake Arrowhead, and found the owner, Laura Ann Carleton, with a gunshot wound. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, a male whose identity hasn’t been revealed yet, fled on foot before the authorities arrived. However, when confronted by deputies, the armed suspect was killed in what authorities described as a “lethal force encounter.” The investigation is still ongoing.
The motive behind the shooting was revealed through further investigation. The suspect had made derogatory remarks about the rainbow flag that was displayed outside the store before shooting Carleton. This act of violence has deeply affected the local community.
Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ, a local organization that advocates for inclusivity, paid tribute to Carleton on Instagram. Though she didn’t identify as LGBTQ+, the organization acknowledged her tireless efforts in helping and advocating for everyone in the community.
Carleton’s Mag Pi store had a slogan of “tackling everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.” She had a successful career in the fashion industry, including serving as an executive at Kenneth Cole for 15 years. Carleton was known for her longevity in various aspects of life, being married to the same man for 28 years and caring for a blended family of nine children, including identical twin girls.
The community has come together to honor Carleton’s memory. Mountain Provisions Cooperative, a local grocery store, acknowledged her as a friend, mother, ally, organizer, entrepreneur, and the soul of their co-op. They praised her dedication to equality, love, and justice and vowed to continue standing for the values she believed in.
The tragedy has also drawn attention from beyond the local community. Director Paul Feig, known for films like “Bridesmaids,” tweeted a tribute to Carleton, describing her as a wonderful friend and a true ally of the queer community. He emphasized the danger of anti-gay and trans rhetoric, highlighting that what happened to Carleton is an absolute tragedy.
In the wake of this devastating incident, the community is urged to fly their flags in honor of Carleton. Through their collective grief and determination, they aim to ensure that her death was not in vain.