California store owner shot to death for displaying the Gay Pride flag

Photo: WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Laura Ann Carleton, a store owner in California’s San Bernardino Mountains and a staunch LGBTQ+ ally, was shot dead by a man who made “derogatory comments” about a colored flag hanging in front of her store

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, the woman and married mother of nine was killed Friday outside her clothing store in Cedar Glen, on the shores of Lake Arrowhead.

The alleged killer, who has not been publicly identified, fled the scene of the crime on foot, But sheriff’s deputies found him several miles from the Carleton store, where he was fatally shot in a confrontation, authorities said.. The sheriff’s office said the shooter was armed with a handgun and refused orders to drop the weapon.

Carleton was well-liked in the community, according to family and friends. Although she herself did not identify as LGBTQ+, she preached “love, acceptance and equality,” as her daughter, Ari Carleton, told the New York Times.

Even, local media, noted that Carleton was also a founding member of Mountain Provisions Cooperative, whose goal is to provide access to healthy and affordable food to people in need. As an example, during a snowstorm that devastated the Lake Arrowhead area in February, Carleton and her husband Bort organized a free store with the Cooperative that provided food and supplies for four months.

Even, local Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ organization called Carleton a “friend and supporter” who “spent her time helping and advocating for everyone in the community.” in a Facebook post. “She will be greatly missed,” the organization wrote.

“Through further investigation, detectives discovered that the suspect made several derogatory comments about a rainbow flag outside the store before shooting Carleton,” according to the sheriff’s office statement.

The investigation is ongoing and the sheriff’s office did not release any further details. Authorities asked that anyone with information about the shooting contact homicide investigators immediately.

“This is absolutely horrible. This disgusting hate has no place in CA,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a social media post Sunday night.