Fatal Shooting of California Store Owner over LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Leads to Tragedy and Defiance

In California, a woman was tragically killed for seemingly refusing to take down a rainbow Pride flag representing LGBTQ+ rights that was displayed outside her store. A close friend disclosed on Wednesday that she had been steadfast in her resolution never to remove the flag.

The victim, Laura Ann Carleton, met a fatal end when she was shot outside Mag.Pi, her home decor and clothing store situated in Cedar Glen, a mountain community to the east of Los Angeles, last Friday.

Travis Ikeguchi, the individual responsible for the shooting, was subsequently killed by deputies when he engaged them in gunfire soon afterward, as stated by San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus on Monday. The authorities further revealed that Ikeguchi had a history of posting anti-LGBTQ material on his social media accounts.

Korey Pollard, whose spouse was employed at Mag.Pi, reflected on Carleton’s unyielding stance in the face of criticism for flying the rainbow flag outside her small business establishment. According to Pollard, Carleton often declared her unwavering commitment to this symbol, even going as far as to order a larger replacement flag when the existing one had faded.

Just prior to shooting Carleton, Ikeguchi removed the Pride flag from her shop’s exterior while uttering homophobic insults, as reported by the sheriff.

Laura Ann Carleton, affectionately known as “Lauri,” leaves behind a husband and a blended family of nine children.

Though not identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community herself, Carleton was actively involved in supporting and advocating for everyone. She was defending her Pride flags in front of her shop on the fateful night she was killed, according to an LGBTQ group in neighboring Lake Arrowhead.

Korey Pollard, who had been friends with Carleton for over a decade, spoke at a second Mag.Pi location in Los Angeles, where he had been asked by Carleton’s family to dismantle a growing makeshift memorial at the front door of the LA store. Pollard articulated the beauty of the memorial’s intent but stated that it did not align with Lauri’s principles. He also expressed concern about potential “copycat situations” and the risk they might pose.

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