Murder of Laura Ann Carleton explained

Murder of Laura Ann Carleton
Partof:2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States
Time:5 p.m. PT[1]
Type:Shooting
Motive:Anti-LGBT sentiment
Deaths:2 (including the perpetrator)
Location:Cedar Glen, California, U.S.
Coordinates:34.2556°N -117.1718°W
Perpetrator:Travis Ikeguchi

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]

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] Ikeguchi was a supporter of anti-trans blogger Matt Walsh, having retweeted and reposted his content on many occasions.[18] [15] [19]

Murder

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, Ikeguchi made disparaging remarks about the pride flag hanging outside Carleton's store.[20] Following a confrontation in which he used homophobic slurs, Ikeguchi shot Carleton.[21] [22] When police arrived, Carleton was found suffering from a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at the scene.[23] The shooting was filmed by the store's closed-circuit cameras.[21]

Authorities then received notice that Ikeguchi had been seen nearby.[24] 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.[25] Police returned fire, killing Ikeguchi, who was pronounced dead on the scene.[26] [27]

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."[28] 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."[29]

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."[30]

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."[31] 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."[32]

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."[33] 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."[34]

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."[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hutchinson . Bill . California store owner shot dead in dispute over displaying Pride flag: Police . ABC News . August 21, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  2. News: California shop owner shot dead over LGBTQ+ Pride flag displayed at store . . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  3. News: California shop owner shot dead over LGBTQ+ Pride flag displayed at store . . Bevan . Hurley . August 21, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  4. Legaspi . Althea . Paul Feig, Bridget Everett Pay Tribute to Lauri Carleton Who Was Killed After Hanging Pride Flag . Rolling Stone . August 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230820162458/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/paul-feig-bridget-everett-tribute-lauri-carlton-killed-for-hanging-pride-flag-1234809310/ . August 21, 2023. August 20, 2023 .
  5. News: August 22, 2023 . Suspect who killed store owner had ripped down Pride flag and shouted homophobic slurs, sheriff says . . 27 February 2024 .
  6. Web site: Hurley . Bevan . Sarkar . Alisha Rahaman . Travis Ikeguchi news – live: Laura Carleton family say killer is 'irrelevant' as his anti-LGBT+ history revealed . . 23 August 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  7. Web site: 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 . August 21, 2023 . CNN .
  8. Web site: Franklin . Jonathan . A California store owner was shot and killed over a Pride flag displayed at her shop . August 21, 2023 . NPR . August 21, 2023.
  9. Web site: Emma . Colton . California store owner shot dead after alleged dispute over gay Pride flag: police . . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  10. Web site: Dev . S. . Slain California store owner feared an altercation over Pride flags, her friend says . . August 21, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  11. Web site: Hurley . Bevan . Rahaman Sarkar . Alisha . Laura Carleton's murder captured on store camera as Travis Ikeguchi's family history revealed . . 22 August 2023 . August 24, 2023 . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822123017/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/laura-carleton-travis-ikeguchi-california-pride-flag-b2397016.html . live .
  12. Web site: Goldberg . Noah . Laura Ann Carleton's alleged killer identified; anti-LGBTQ rants unearthed . Los Angeles Times . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023 . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822083906/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-21/laura-ann-carleton-killer-identified-anti-lgbtq-rants-unearthed . live .
  13. Web site: Lavietes . Matt . Blankstein . Andrew . Suspect named in fatal shooting of California store owner over a Pride flag . . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  14. Web site: Mahapatra . Tuhin Das . 'Stop compromising to LGBT dictatorship': Who was Travis Ikeguchi, the California Pride Flag killer? . Hindustan Times . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  15. Web site: Gilbert . David . Man Who Shot Store Owner for Flying Pride Flag Was a Far-Right Conspiracist . Vice . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  16. Web site: . 27 February 2024 . Jessica . McBride . Travis Ikeguchi: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. August 22, 2023 .
  17. Web site: Laura Carleton's killer was the son of a decorated police officer. 27 February 2024 . August 23, 2023 . Bevan . Hurley . .
  18. Web site: 27 February 2024 . Matt . Lavietes . Killing over Pride flag follows far right's years of criticism of the LGBTQ symbol . August 24, 2023 . .
  19. Web site: John . Russell . Pride flag killer was a fan of Matt Walsh & other extremist social media accounts . 27 February 2024 . August 23, 2023 . LBGQTNation.
  20. Web site: Madani . Doha . California store owner, mother of 9, fatally shot over a Pride flag displayed in her shop . . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  21. Web site: Goldberg . Noah . Who was Travis Ikeguchi? Shooter in pride flag killing posted far-right, anti-LGBTQ content . Los Angeles Times . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023 . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822221438/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-22/who-was-travis-ikeguchi-shooter-in-lake-arrowhead-pride-flag-killing . live .
  22. Web site: Rice . Nicholas . Calif. Woman Murdered, Suspect Killed After Pride Flag Dispute: Police . People Magazine . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  23. News: Walsh . Aoife . Man kills shopkeeper in US state of California after disparaging Pride flag . BBC News . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  24. Web site: Piña . Christy . Paul Feig Remembers Friend Who Was Killed for Displaying Pride Flag: 'This Intolerance Has to End' . The Hollywood Reporter . August 20, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  25. Web site: Carless . Will . In shooting over store's Pride flag, predictions of violence again become reality . 2023-08-23 . USA Today . 23 August 2023.
  26. Web site: Cooper . Alex . California Woman Gunned Down After Pride Flag Dispute, Police Say . August 19, 2023 . . August 21, 2023.
  27. Web site: Pride flag killing suspect appears to have a long history of anti-LGBTQ social posts . 27 February 2024 . . August 22, 2023 . Matt . Lavietes . Ben . Goggin .
  28. Web site: Goldberg . Noah . A pride flag, an argument and gunfire: The senseless killing of Laura Ann Carleton . Los Angeles Times . August 22, 2023 . 22 August 2023 . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822083803/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-08-21/a-pride-flag-an-argument-and-gunfire-the-senseless-killing-of-laura-ann-carleton . live .
  29. Web site: Saqib . Faiza . 22 August 2023 . A mother and businesswoman whose LGBTQ advocacy cost her her life: Who was Laura Ann Carleton? . . 22 August 2023.
  30. Web site: Bloom . Allison . GLAAD Responds to the Murder of Laura Carleton as Community Mourns . . August 21, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  31. Web site: Rodriguez . Matthew . San Bernardino deputies shoot and kill homicide suspect in Lake Arrowhead . . August 19, 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  32. Gavin Newsom . Newsom . Gavin . 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. . GavinNewsom . 1693361157523079339 . 20 August 2023 . August 21, 2023.
  33. Wiener . Scott . Scott_Wiener . In the last few weeks, a shop owner in Southern California was murdered for putting up a Pride flag & a gay man in New York City was murdered for voguing in public. The threat to our community is real. And it flows directly from the violent rhetoric being directed at us. . 1693722548377370868 . 21 August 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  34. Bush . Cori . This is Lauri Carleton. She was killed at her shop in Lake Arrowhead, CA for displaying the pride flag. 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. . CoriBush . 1693720768553591088 . August 21, 2023 . 22 August 2023.
  35. News: Mayorquin . Orlando . Store Owner Is Fatally Shot by Man Who Confronted Her About Pride Flag . The New York Times . August 21, 2023 . 21 August 2023.

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