Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Suspect Dead After California Business Owner is Killed Over a Pride Flag
By admin
Published 2 years ago on
August 21, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CEDAR GLEN, Calif. — A dispute over an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a California clothing store spiraled into deadly violence this weekend when a man shot and killed the 66-year-old business owner right in front of her shop, authorities said.

The man ran away from the store after the shooting Friday night but was later found and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The agency said Laura Ann Carleton was pronounced dead at Mag.Pi, the store she owned and operated in Cedar Glen. The small community in the San Bernadino Mountains is roughly 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Before the shooting, the man “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store,” sheriff’s officials said.

It was not immediately clear what happened when officers confronted the man, whose identity hadn’t been released as of Sunday.

Carleton, who preferred to be called “Lauri,” is survived by her husband and nine children in a blended family.

An LGBTQ group in nearby Lake Arrowhead said Carleton didn’t identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. But she spent time helping and advocating for everyone, and was defending her Pride flags placed in front of her shop on the night of the shooting, the group said.

There was an outpouring of support on social media over the weekend, with commenters expressing shock and sadness on the store’s accounts. Many included rainbow flag emojis.

Law enforcement agencies in several states have investigated the destruction of rainbow Pride flags as potential hate crimes in recent years.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Madera County Inmate Arrested After Chase and Crash With Kids in Car

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

15 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

15 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

An early morning fire caused significant damage to a vacant restaurant building in Fresno, the Fresno Fire Department reported.   ...

14 hours ago

A vacant Fresno restaurant was heavily damaged in a fire early Friday, June 13, 2025, morning, with no injuries reported and the cause under investigation. (Fresno FD)
14 hours ago

Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire

14 hours ago

Visalia Police Make Arrest in Deadly Hit-and-Run

Michael Sanchez, 30, a Madera County inmate, who failed to return from a funeral day-pass was arrested Friday after a police chase and crash involving children. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

Madera County Inmate Arrested After Chase and Crash With Kids in Car

15 hours ago

Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg)
15 hours ago

Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem

A man in his 80s was found dead in Bass Lake on Friday, June 13, 2025, morning while attempting to launch a boat, authorities said. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

Man Found Dead in Bass Lake, Cause Under Investigation

U.S. Marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building after Marines were deployed to Los Angeles, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2025. (Reuters/Aude Guerrucci)
16 hours ago

US Marines Carry out First Known Detention of Civilian in Los Angeles, Video Shows

16 hours ago

Tensions Boil Between Arias and Dem Congressmembers

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend