A store owner in California was allegedly killed over an LGBTQ flag she displayed, and police said they shot and killed the armed suspect after he ran away from the scene.
The incident unfolded on Friday near the mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, about 80 miles east of Los Angeles.
San Bernardino County deputies responded to a call about a shooting at the Mag.Pi clothing shop in the town of Cedar Glen at around 5 p.m. They said that they found 66-year-old Laura “Lauri” Ann Carleton dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigators said that the suspect ran off, and officers were able to locate him later. They shot him and killed him in what they described as a “lethal force encounter.”
Detectives said that the man had made several disparaging comments about the LGBTQ flag hanging at the shop and then shot Carleton after an argument.
Carleton was married and had nine children.
Investigators did not identify the suspect who was killed by officers and said the investigation was ongoing.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, a Republican, issued a statement decrying the violence.
“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,” Rowe said.
The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ organization said in a statement that Carleton did not identify as a member of the LGBTQ community but that she was very vocal in her support of the LGBTQ movement.
Supporters set up a memorial outside the store with flowers and messages against hatred.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the attack “absolutely horrific” and said it was motivated by “disgusting hate.”
Here’s a local news report about the incident:
Lake Arrowhead store owner who was fatally shot was mother of 9www.youtube.com
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