A 27-year-old man was shot and killed by police Lovely shopkeeper in California After a dispute over the pride flag outside her clothing store.
The shooter, identified as Travis Ikeguchi, killed 66-year-old Laura Ann Carlton at her Mag Bay clothing store on Hawk Creek Road in Cedar Glen after he made “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that was standing outside the store,” authorities said. in San Bernardino County.
the A mother of nine and a “true ally of LGBT people” was announced dead. in the area.
Ikeguchi fled the crime scene on foot but was intercepted by deputies about a mile from the store on Friday. Sheriff Shannon Dickos told reporters that the suspect fired an unregistered Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun, hitting multiple squad cars.
The sheriff added that the deputies returned fire, shooting Ikeguchi, who was killed at the scene.
Before shooting Carlton, the suspect tore down an LGBTQ+ Pride flag that was hanging in front of the store and “yelled homophobic slurs” at the woman.
Sheriff’s officials said Ikeguchi was said to have lived in Cedar Glen and frequently posted hateful content on social media.
He appears to have social media accounts on Gap and Twitter, where a user with his name has posted anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion and anti-police content along with conspiracy theories.
A post pinned to his alleged X account, formerly known as Twitter, shows the Pride flag on fire.
The day before the shooting, Ikeguchi’s family reported his missing to the Sheriff’s Department, officials said.
According to the authorities, the semi-automatic pistol Ikeguchi used was not registered with him, and he did not have a license to carry a concealed weapon.
while, He poured salutes to Carltonwho has remained defiant as a prominent ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
When people tore down the Pride flag hanging outside her store for the first time, Carlton simply got another flag and hung it right up.
Friends say this has happened several times in the two years since it opened the California store as a second store to its first Studio City location.
Described by The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ as an “incredible person”, her “unwavering support” of the community and “dedication to creating a safe and inclusive space within her store has touched the lives of many.”
There was an outpouring of support on social media as well, with commenters expressing their shock and grief on the store’s accounts.
Hollywood director Paul Feig, whose credits include Bridesmaids and The Heat, posted a tribute saying that Carlton, whom he called his “amazing friend,” was murdered by a young man.
“Her alleged killer was later shot and killed by San Bernardino police and no longer poses a threat to the community,” Vig continued.
But this intolerance must end. Anyone who uses hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community should realize that their words matter, and that their words can inspire violence against loving innocents. Let us all continue to move forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Laurie’s tragic death be in vain.”
The firing comes about a month after the Anti-Defamation League and LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD released a report noting a recent rise in anti-LGBTQ harassment, vandalism, or assault in the United States.
“This is absolutely appalling. This disgusting hate has no place in California,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a social media post on Saturday.
