Laura Carleton’s murder captured on store camera as Travis Ikeguchi’s family history revealed - latest
Travis Ikeguchi appeared to “flinch” before fatally shooting Laura Carleton during a heated dispute over a Pride flag, surveillance footage shows.
Authorities say Ikeguchi hurled homophobic slurs at Carleton over a rainbow flag flying from her Mag.Pi store in Cedar Glen, California, before firing a single shot that killed the 66-year-old mother of nine on 18 August.
The fatal shooting was captured on the store’s closed-circuit cameras, according to the Los Angeles Times.
An acquaintance who viewed the disturbing footage told the Times that Ikeguchi momentarily paused before opening fire.
“He then almost flinched as if thinking twice but then went for it, grabbed the gun and then aimed it and shot Lauri,” the acquaintance told the Times.
Meanwhile, public records reviewed by The Independent have revealed that Ikeguchi’s father is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper and a firearms and active shooter instructor.
The police link comes after officials said that Ikeguchi’s social media accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, and far-right site Gab were filled with bigoted anti-LGBTQ+ posts and posts showing an intense hatred for law enforcement long before he murdered Carleton.
Key Points
Travis Ikeguchi’s anti-LGBT+ online posts revealed
Police name man who killed California storeowner over Pride flag
Gunman tore down Pride flag and shouted homophobic slurs
Hollywood director Paul Feig remembers ‘wonderful friend’ Laura Carleton
Memorial fund set up to honour Laura Carleton
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
08:30 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
07:30 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Jamie Lee Curtis and Paul Feig lead reactions to shooting of California store owner over Pride flag
06:30 , Bevan Hurley
Paul Feig and Jamie Lee Curtis have reacted after a woman was shot dead outside her clothing shop in Cedar Glen, California.
Feig, the director of 2016’s Ghostbusters and the hit comedy Bridesmaids, shared a photo of himself and Carlton on Instagram, alongside a written tribute.
“Our wonderful friend Lauri Carleton (seen in this picture) was murdered yesterday in her store @magpi_shop in Lake Arrowhead by a 27 year old man who didn’t like that she had a large pride flag hanging outside of her shop,” he wrote.
In her own Instagram tribute, Curtis wrote: “My hand in yours @alokvmenon.”
“I feel deeply saddened by this,” the caption continued. “This is our country now and we can’t look away. Rest in peace Laura Ann Carleton, a mother of nine. Thank you for your allyship. Thank you for your love. I’ll never forget you.”
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks out after shooting death of shop owner over Pride flag
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
05:30 , Bevan Hurley
Fashion designer Kenneth Cole has lamented the death of Laura Ann Carleton, his longtime former executive who was shot dead for displaying a Pride flag at her clothing store.
Carleton, 66, who went on to become an independent business owner after a 15-year stint with Kenneth Kole Productions, was shot dead on 18 August at her clothing outlet in Lake Arrowhead, California.
“An unnecessary and tragic death to a long time KCP assoc [associate] and friend,” he said on X, formerly Twitter, and added a hashtag demanding gun reforms in the US.
Carleton was pronounced dead at the scene and the suspect was shot dead by police deputies in “a lethal force encounter”, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.
Police said the suspect had “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton”.
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
When people ripped her store’s Pride flag, Laura Carleton hung up another. This time it ended with her murder
04:30 , Bevan Hurley
When people first ripped down the Pride flag hanging outside her Cedar Glen clothing store, Laura Ann Carleton simply got another and hung it straight back up.
Friends say this happened multiple times in the two years since she opened the California store as a second outpost to her first location in Studio City.
And, throughout it all, the 66-year-old mother-of-nine remained defiant as a prominent ally to the LGBT+ community.
This weekend, it happened once again.
Except this time, the flag removal ended with her murder – with the perpetrator shooting her in cold blood in the street.
Faiza Saqib reports.
Community mourns loss of Laura Carleton who was killed for over a Pride flag
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
03:30 , Bevan Hurley
The father of a gunman who killed a “true LGBTQ+ ally” for displaying a Pride flag outside her clothing store is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper, according to public records.
Travis Kirby Ikeguchi, 27, yelled “many homophobic slurs” at Laura Ann Carleton before fatally shooting her outside of Mag.Pi fashion store in Glen Cedar, California, on Friday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said on Monday.
According to public records, his father David Jay Ikeguchi, 63, is a 35-year veteran state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol based in Orlando.
According to Mr Ikeguchi Sr’s LinkedIn profile, he is a firearms and active shooter instructor with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Ikeguchi had a burning Pride flag pinned to the top of his account on X, and retweeted a post comparing Nazi children with swastika flags to schoolchildren with Pride flags.
He also posted paranoid, threatening messages about police officers.
On June 27, he posted on Twitter: “DO NOT TRUST COPS… Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes.”
In a 2021 post on the right-wing social media site Gab, Ikeguchi spoke chillingly of killing police officers.
“I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read.
Full story below
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Laura Carleton’s murder over Pride flag captured on store surveillance camera
02:30 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi appeared to “flinch” before fatally shooting Laura Carletonduring a heated dispute over a Pride flag, surveillance footage has revealed.
Authorities say Ikeguchi, 27, hurled homophobic slurs at Carleton over a rainbow flag flying from her Mag.Pi store in Cedar Glen, California, before firing a single shot that killed the 66-year-old mother-of-nine.
The fatal shooting, which unfolded on 18 August, was captured on the store’s closed-circuit cameras, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
An acquaintance of Carleton’s who viewed the disturbing footage told the Times that Ikeguchi appeared to momentarily pause before opening fire.
“He then almost flinched as if thinking twice but then went for it, grabbed the gun and then aimed it and shot Lauri,” the acquaintance told the Times.
Full story below.
Laura Carleton’s murder over Pride flag captured on store camera
Laura Carleton’s killer’s anti-LGBT+ posts revealed
01:30 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi had been spewing anti-LGBTQ+ content on social media for quite some time.
Behind his keyboard, the 27-year-old California man was posting images of burning Pride flags and lashing out at the LGBT+ community as well as law enforcement.
Then, he came out from behind his online persona and murdered a mother-of-nine fashion entrepreneur over the Pride flag she had dared to hang outside her own store, according to authorities.
Rachel Sharp has the details.
Man who murdered Laura Carleton over Pride flag spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:30 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:00 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:30 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:00 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi, who has been identified as Laura Carleton’s killer, made hateful posts on multiple different social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, and the far-right platform Gab prior to the murder.
Accounts on X and Gab under Ikeguchi’s name, reviewed by The Independent, appear to match the hateful posts referred to by authorities.
In one post, dated 13 June and pinned to the top of the X account, Ikeguchi appeared to post an image of a burning rainbow flag.
“What to do with the LGBTQP flag?” the chilling post was captioned.
In another post on 28 June, the user took aim at same-sex marriage and abortion.
“Abortion and same-sex marriage are both immoral and are design to destroy humanity one by one,” the tweet read.
“So if someone is pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQP, they are at war against the foundation of family values. –Travis Ikeguchi 6/23/2023 6:39am.”
In a post the same day, he revealed a deep-rooted paranoia and dislike for law enforcment.
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:30 , Bevan Hurley
Fashion designer Kenneth Cole has lamented the death of Laura Ann Carleton, his longtime former executive who was shot dead for displaying a Pride flag at her clothing store.
Carleton, 66, who went on to become an independent business owner after a 15-year stint with Kenneth Kole Productions, was shot dead on 18 August at her clothing outlet in Lake Arrowhead, California.
“An unnecessary and tragic death to a long time KCP assoc [associate] and friend,” he said on X, formerly Twitter, and added a hashtag demanding gun reforms in the US.
Carleton was pronounced dead at the scene and the suspect was shot dead by police deputies in “a lethal force encounter”, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.
Police said the suspect had “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton”.
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred is ‘out of control’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:00 , Bevan Hurley
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence is “out of control” in the United States, according to Wendy Via, co-founder of Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
“Yet again, anti-LGBTQ+ hate turned to violence, and an innocent woman tragically lost her life,” Ms Via said in a statement.
“Now, an entire community is not only reeling from the tragic death, but LGBTQ+ people and their allies everywhere are once again reminded in the worst possible way of the very real threat of hate and violence they face every day.”
Ms Via said that efforts to demonise and intimidate the LGBTQ+ community had increased globally in the past year.
“It would be naive to separate these violent attacks from the anti-LGBTQ+ efforts of some politicians and far-right organisations,” she said.
“As we’ve said before, the relentless dehumanization and demonization of LGBTQ+ people by far-right politicians, extremist religious leaders, and hateful ideology adherents — often spread online — will continue to result in violence if this rhetoric and push for irrational, hateful, and rights-restricting legislation isn’t stopped.”
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:30 , Bevan Hurley
The father of a gunman who killed a “true LGBTQ+ ally” for displaying a Pride flag outside her clothing store is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper, according to public records.
Travis Kirby Ikeguchi, 27, yelled “many homophobic slurs” at Laura Ann Carleton before fatally shooting her outside of Mag.Pi fashion store in Glen Cedar, California, on Friday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said on Monday.
According to public records, his father David Jay Ikeguchi, 63, is a 35-year veteran state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol based in Orlando.
According to Mr Ikeguchi Sr’s LinkedIn profile, he is a firearms and active shooter instructor with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Ikeguchi had a burning Pride flag pinned to the top of his account on X, and retweeted a post comparing Nazi children with swastika flags to schoolchildren with Pride flags.
He also posted paranoid, threatening messages about police officers.
On June 27, he posted on Twitter: “DO NOT TRUST COPS… Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes.”
In a 2021 post on the right-wing social media site Gab, Ikeguchi spoke chillingly of killing police officers.
“I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read.
Full story below
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
When people ripped her store’s Pride flag, Laura Carleton hung up another. This time it ended with her murder
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:00 , Bevan Hurley
When people first ripped down the Pride flag hanging outside her Cedar Glen clothing store, Laura Ann Carleton simply got another and hung it straight back up.
Friends say this happened multiple times in the two years since she opened the California store as a second outpost to her first location in Studio City.
And, throughout it all, the 66-year-old mother-of-nine remained defiant as a prominent ally to the LGBT+ community.
This weekend, it happened once again.
Except this time, the flag removal ended with her murder – with the perpetrator shooting her in cold blood in the street.
Faiza Saqib reports.
Community mourns loss of Laura Carleton who was killed for over a Pride flag
Laura Carleton’s murder over Pride flag captured on store surveillance camera
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:30 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi appeared to “flinch” before fatally shooting Laura Carletonduring a heated dispute over a Pride flag, surveillance footage has revealed.
Authorities say Ikeguchi, 27, hurled homophobic slurs at Carleton over a rainbow flag flying from her Mag.Pi store in Cedar Glen, California, before firing a single shot that killed the 66-year-old mother-of-nine.
The fatal shooting, which unfolded on 18 August, was captured on the store’s closed-circuit cameras, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
An acquaintance of Carleton’s who viewed the disturbing footage told the Times that Ikeguchi appeared to momentarily pause before opening fire.
“He then almost flinched as if thinking twice but then went for it, grabbed the gun and then aimed it and shot Lauri,” the acquaintance told the Times.
Full story below.
Laura Carleton’s murder over Pride flag captured on store camera
Paul Feig leads celebrity reactions to ‘horrific’ shooting of California store owner over Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:02 , Bevan Hurley
Paul Feig has shared a message after a friend of his was shot dead ouside her clothing shop in Cedar Glen, California.
“Our wonderful friend Lauri Carleton (seen in this picture) was murdered yesterday in her store @magpi_shop in Lake Arrowhead by a 27 year old man who didn’t like that she had a large pride flag hanging outside of her shop,” he wrote.
“He ripped it down and when she confronted him about it he shot and killed her. We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally. Her alleged murderer was later shot and killed by the San Bernardino police and so no longer poses a threat to the community. But this intolerance has to end.”
He continued: “Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realise their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.”
Many of Feig’s celebrity friends and followers also paid tribute in the comments under his post.
Hollywood star Charlize Theron said Carleton’s death was “heartbreaking”, while The Office star Kate Flannery wrote: “Paul! I’m so sorry for your loss. And I’m sorry for the state of the world.”
Louis Chilton has the full story.
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks out after shooting death of shop owner over Pride flag
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:33 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:06 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:30 , Bevan Hurley
The father of a gunman who killed a “true LGBTQ+ ally” for displaying a Pride flag outside her clothing store is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper, according to public records.
Travis Kirby Ikeguchi, 27, yelled “many homophobic slurs” at Laura Ann Carleton before fatally shooting her outside of Mag.Pi fashion store in Glen Cedar, California, on Friday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said on Monday.
According to public records, his father David Jay Ikeguchi, 63, is a 35-year veteran state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol based in Orlando.
According to Mr Ikeguchi Sr’s LinkedIn profile, he is a firearms and active shooter instructor with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Ikeguchi had a burning Pride flag pinned to the top of his account on X, and retweeted a post comparing Nazi children with swastika flags to schoolchildren with Pride flags.
He also posted paranoid, threatening messages about police officers.
On June 27, he posted on Twitter: “DO NOT TRUST COPS… Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes.”
In a 2021 post on the right-wing social media site Gab, Ikeguchi spoke chillingly of killing police officers.
“I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read.
Full story below
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Laura Carleton’s death captured on surveillance footage
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:00 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi appeared to “flinch” before fatally shooting Laura Carleton at her Mag.Pi clothing store in Glen Cedar, according to a new report.
Authorities say Ikeguchi hurled homophobic slurs during a heated argument over a Pride flag proudly displayed outside of Carleton’s store before firing a single shot that killed the 66-year-old mother of nine.
According to a Los Angeles Times article, the fatal shooting was captured on the store’s closed-circuit cameras.
An acquaintance who viewed the disturbing footage told the Times that Ikeguchi momentarily paused before opening fire.
“He then almost flinched as if thinking twice but then went for it, grabbed the gun and then aimed it and shot Lauri,” the acquaintance told the Times.
“That caused her to fall back onto the floor, and then the door swung closed, and then he shot one shot through that door and then took off.”
Carleton remained in the store and was holding a mobile phone throughout the deadly altercation, the acquaintance said.
Ikeguchi was shot and killed nearby after opening fire on San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told The Independent that deputies do not have body worn cameras or dash cameras.
Memorial fund established to ‘keep Lauri Carleton’s spirit alive’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:39 , Bevan Hurley
A memorial fund has been set up to help champion causes and values that Lauri Carleton supported.
The Lauri Carleton Memorial Fund “aims to keep her spirit alive” by supporting community groups in Lake Arrowhead, California.
“Lauri was a pillar in our community, an unwavering champion of values that sought to break down barriers and build bridges,” the fundraiser states.
“Her dedication to equality and her courage in flying the LGBTQ+ flag exemplify her commitment to creating a world where love knows no boundaries.”
The fund has been established by the Mountain Provisions Cooperative in Lake Arrowhead, which Carleton was a founding member of.
Anyone wishing to make a donation or find out more information can do so here.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:00 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Laura Carleton’s killer’s anti-LGBT+ posts revealed
Wednesday 23 August 2023 16:30 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi had been spewing anti-LGBTQ+ content on social media for quite some time.
Behind his keyboard, the 27-year-old California man was posting images of burning Pride flags and lashing out at the LGBT+ community as well as law enforcement.
Then, he came out from behind his online persona and murdered a mother-of-nine fashion entrepreneur over the Pride flag she had dared to hang outside her own store, according to authorities.
Rachel Sharp has the details.
Man who murdered Laura Carleton over Pride flag spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Wednesday 23 August 2023 16:00 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Laura Carleton’s death captured on surveillance footage
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:52 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi appeared to “flinch” before fatally shooting Laura Carleton at her Mag.Pi clothing store in Glen Cedar, according to a new report.
Authorities say Ikeguchi hurled homophobic slurs during a heated argument over a Pride flag proudly displayed outside of Carleton’s store before firing a single shot that killed the 66-year-old mother of nine.
According to a Los Angeles Times article, the fatal shooting was captured on the store’s closed-circuit cameras.
An acquaintance who viewed the disturbing footage told the Times that Ikeguchi momentarily paused before opening fire.
“He then almost flinched as if thinking twice but then went for it, grabbed the gun and then aimed it and shot Lauri,” the acquaintance told the Times.
“That caused her to fall back onto the floor, and then the door swung closed, and then he shot one shot through that door and then took off.”
Carleton remained in the store and was holding a mobile phone throughout the deadly altercation, the acquaintance said.
Ikeguchi was shot and killed nearby after opening fire on San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told The Independent that deputies do not have body worn cameras or dash cameras.
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:30 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Paul Feig shuts down ‘absolutely false’ rumour about Lauri Carleton shooting
Wednesday 23 August 2023 15:00 , Bevan Hurley
Hollywood director Paul Feig has spoken out about an “absolutely false” rumour spreading on social media about his friend Lauri Carleton’s murder.
Prior to authorities naming Travis Ikeguchi as the gunman, social media was rampant with bogus claims that the victim’s brother was involved.
On Monday, Mr Feig took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to shut down the claims.
“I can’t believe I actually have to address this but this is absolutely false. Totally and absolutely. The police for some reason still haven’t released the identity of the shooter but he was of no relation to Lauri. Zero. Gang, we all have to calm the rhetoric down. All of us.”
I can’t believe I actually have to address this but this is absolutely false. Totally and absolutely. The police for some reason still haven’t released the identity of the shooter but he was of no relation to Lauri. Zero. Gang, we all have to calm the rhetoric down. All of us. https://t.co/EdCi0A4VUe
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) August 21, 2023
Memorial fund established to ‘keep Lauri Carleton’s spirit alive'
Wednesday 23 August 2023 14:30 , Bevan Hurley
A memorial fund has been set up to help champion causes and values that Lauri Carleton supported.
The Lauri Carleton Memorial Fund “aims to keep her spirit alive” by supporting community groups in Lake Arrowhead, California.
“Lauri was a pillar in our community, an unwavering champion of values that sought to break down barriers and build bridges,” the fundraiser states.
“Her dedication to equality and her courage in flying the LGBTQ+ flag exemplify her commitment to creating a world where love knows no boundaries.”
The fund has been established by the Mountain Provisions Cooperative in Lake Arrowhead, which Carleton was a founding member of.
Anyone wishing to make a donation or find out more information can do so here.
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Wednesday 23 August 2023 14:04 , Bevan Hurley
The father of a gunman who killed a “true LGBTQ+ ally” for displaying a Pride flag outside her clothing store is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper, according to public records.
Travis Kirby Ikeguchi, 27, yelled “many homophobic slurs” at Laura Ann Carleton before fatally shooting her outside of Mag.Pi fashion store in Glen Cedar, California, on Friday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said on Monday.
According to public records, his father David Jay Ikeguchi, 63, is a 35-year veteran state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol based in Orlando.
According to Mr Ikeguchi Sr’s LinkedIn profile, he is a firearms and active shooter instructor with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Ikeguchi had a burning Pride flag pinned to the top of his account on X, and retweeted a post comparing Nazi children with swastika flags to schoolchildren with Pride flags.
He also posted paranoid, threatening messages about police officers.
On June 27, he posted on Twitter: “DO NOT TRUST COPS… Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes.”
In a 2021 post on the right-wing social media site Gab, Ikeguchi spoke chillingly of killing police officers.
“I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read.
Full story below
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Wednesday 23 August 2023 13:00 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:18 , Bevan Hurley
Fashion designer Kenneth Cole has lamented the death of Laura Ann Carleton, his longtime former executive who was shot dead for displaying a Pride flag at her clothing store.
Carleton, 66, who went on to become an independent business owner after a 15-year stint with Kenneth Kole Productions, was shot dead on 18 August at her clothing outlet in Lake Arrowhead, California.
“An unnecessary and tragic death to a long time KCP assoc [associate] and friend,” he said on X, formerly Twitter, and added a hashtag demanding gun reforms in the US.
Carleton was pronounced dead at the scene and the suspect was shot dead by police deputies in “a lethal force encounter”, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said.
Police said the suspect had “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton”.
Kenneth Cole pays tribute to former employee shot to death over Pride flag
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred is ‘out of control’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 12:00 , Bevan Hurley
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence is “out of control” in the United States, according to Wendy Via, co-founder of Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
“Yet again, anti-LGBTQ+ hate turned to violence, and an innocent woman tragically lost her life,” Ms Via said in a statement.
“Now, an entire community is not only reeling from the tragic death, but LGBTQ+ people and their allies everywhere are once again reminded in the worst possible way of the very real threat of hate and violence they face every day.”
Ms Via said that efforts to demonise and intimidate the LGBTQ+ community had increased globally in the past year.
“It would be naive to separate these violent attacks from the anti-LGBTQ+ efforts of some politicians and far-right organisations,” she said.
“As we’ve said before, the relentless dehumanization and demonization of LGBTQ+ people by far-right politicians, extremist religious leaders, and hateful ideology adherents — often spread online — will continue to result in violence if this rhetoric and push for irrational, hateful, and rights-restricting legislation isn’t stopped.”
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:14 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Wednesday 23 August 2023 11:00 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred is ‘out of control’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:19 , Bevan Hurley
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence is “out of control” in the United States, according to Wendy Via, co-founder of Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
“Yet again, anti-LGBTQ+ hate turned to violence, and an innocent woman tragically lost her life,” Ms Via said in a statement.
“Now, an entire community is not only reeling from the tragic death, but LGBTQ+ people and their allies everywhere are once again reminded in the worst possible way of the very real threat of hate and violence they face every day.”
Ms Via said that efforts to demonise and intimidate the LGBTQ+ community had increased globally in the past year.
“It would be naive to separate these violent attacks from the anti-LGBTQ+ efforts of some politicians and far-right organisations,” she said.
“As we’ve said before, the relentless dehumanization and demonization of LGBTQ+ people by far-right politicians, extremist religious leaders, and hateful ideology adherents — often spread online — will continue to result in violence if this rhetoric and push for irrational, hateful, and rights-restricting legislation isn’t stopped.”
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 10:00 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:09 , Bevan Hurley
The father of a gunman who killed a “true LGBTQ+ ally” for displaying a Pride flag outside her clothing store is a decorated Florida Highway Patrol state trooper, according to public records.
Travis Kirby Ikeguchi, 27, yelled “many homophobic slurs” at Laura Ann Carleton before fatally shooting her outside of Mag.Pi fashion store in Glen Cedar, California, on Friday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said on Monday.
According to public records, his father David Jay Ikeguchi, 63, is a 35-year veteran state trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol based in Orlando.
According to Mr Ikeguchi Sr’s LinkedIn profile, he is a firearms and active shooter instructor with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Travis Ikeguchi had a burning Pride flag pinned to the top of his account on X, and retweeted a post comparing Nazi children with swastika flags to schoolchildren with Pride flags.
He also posted paranoid, threatening messages about police officers.
On June 27, he posted on Twitter: “DO NOT TRUST COPS… Do not follow their traps they want to know everything about you to catch you and used against you in court and lie about you. Watch out their sociopathic schemes.”
In a 2021 post on the right-wing social media site Gab, Ikeguchi spoke chillingly of killing police officers.
“I know it’s controversial for me to mention the option to kill a police officer, but these police officers are not the servants for the people they are the servants for the laws,” the post read.
Full story below
Laura Carleton’s killer was the son of a decorated police officer
When people ripped her store’s Pride flag, Laura Carleton hung up another. This time it ended with her murder
Wednesday 23 August 2023 09:00 , Bevan Hurley
When people first ripped down the Pride flag hanging outside her Cedar Glen clothing store, Laura Ann Carleton simply got another and hung it straight back up.
Friends say this happened multiple times in the two years since she opened the California store as a second outpost to her first location in Studio City.
And, throughout it all, the 66-year-old mother-of-nine remained defiant as a prominent ally to the LGBT+ community.
This weekend, it happened once again.
Except this time, the flag removal ended with her murder – with the perpetrator shooting her in cold blood in the street.
Faiza Saqib reports.
Community mourns loss of Laura Carleton who was killed for over a Pride flag
Shop owner ordered a new Pride flag that arrived after her death
Wednesday 23 August 2023 08:00 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton had ordered a new Pride flag for her California store, which arrived the day she was killed in a suspected anti-LGBT+ hate crime.
Travis Ikeguchi, 27, killed Carleton, 66, outside of her Mag.Pi clothing store in Cedar Glen after making “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store,” the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office said.
Her daughter, Ari Carleton, told CNN that they found a parcel containing the new Pride flag on the doorstep after the family returned home on Friday following the incident.
“It was a new flag that she had told my dad that she ordered it. Because the one hanging naturally faded from the sun,” the daughter said.
Paul Feig leads celebrity reactions to ‘horrific’ shooting of California store owner over Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 07:00 , Bevan Hurley
Paul Feig has shared a message after a friend of his was shot dead ouside her clothing shop in Cedar Glen, California.
“Our wonderful friend Lauri Carleton (seen in this picture) was murdered yesterday in her store @magpi_shop in Lake Arrowhead by a 27 year old man who didn’t like that she had a large pride flag hanging outside of her shop,” he wrote.
“He ripped it down and when she confronted him about it he shot and killed her. We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally. Her alleged murderer was later shot and killed by the San Bernardino police and so no longer poses a threat to the community. But this intolerance has to end.”
He continued: “Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realise their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.”
Many of Feig’s celebrity friends and followers also paid tribute in the comments under his post.
Hollywood star Charlize Theron said Carleton’s death was “heartbreaking”, while The Office star Kate Flannery wrote: “Paul! I’m so sorry for your loss. And I’m sorry for the state of the world.”
Louis Chilton has the full story.
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks out after shooting death of shop owner over Pride flag
Laura Carleton’s killer’s anti-LGBT+ posts revealed
Wednesday 23 August 2023 06:00 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi had been spewing anti-LGBTQ+ content on social media for quite some time.
Behind his keyboard, the 27-year-old California man was posting images of burning Pride flags and lashing out at the LGBT+ community as well as law enforcement.
Then, he came out from behind his online persona and murdered a mother-of-nine fashion entrepreneur over the Pride flag she had dared to hang outside her own store, according to authorities.
Rachel Sharp has the details.
Man who murdered Laura Carleton over Pride flag spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 05:00 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Daughters describe store owner slain over Pride flag as ‘fearless’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 04:00 , Bevan Hurley
Ari and Kelsey Carleton, two of the shop owner’s nine children, wrote on Instagram that their “beautiful mommy” had been taken in a “senseless act of violence”.
“She was murdered over a pride flag that she proudly hung on her storefront. Make no mistake, this was a hate crime,” the daughters wrote.
“Our family is broken. We have a long road ahead of us as we navigate this new reality without our loving matriarch.”
Carleton opened her first Mag.Pi clothing store in Studio City, Los Angeles, in 2013, selling ethically sourced clothing including some of Carleton’s designs.
Ari and Kelsey Carleton said that in the two years since her mother opened her second Cedar Glen, vandals had on several occasions ripped down Pride flags hanging outside.
Each time, her mother would replace them with bigger ones, they said.
Daughters describe store owner slain over Pride flag as ‘fearless’
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Wednesday 23 August 2023 03:00 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Lauri Carleton was ‘bullied’ for her support of the LGBTQ+ community
Wednesday 23 August 2023 02:00 , Bevan Hurley
Laura “Lauri” Carleton endured verbal harassment for her support of the LGBTQ+ community in the scenic Californian community of Lake Arrowhead, according to a close friend.
Robin Lyles told the Los Angeles LGBT Center that the town of Cedar Glen, where Carleton was shot dead during an argument over a rainbow flag, was generally acceptant of diversity, but had a “vocal” conservative contingent.
“She would get bullied all the time by people at the local restaurants or people walking around,” Ms Lyles said.
“But she wouldn’t take it, Lauri would always challenge them and be in someone’s face. She wasn’t going to let anyone bully her,” Ms Lyles, who owns the Lake House Collection store in Lake Arrowhead, told the website.
Authorities say Carleton, 66, was shot dead by Travis Ikeguchi on Friday in a dispute over a Pride flag hung from her Mag.Pi fashion store.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Wednesday 23 August 2023 01:30 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Paul Feig shuts down ‘absolutely false’ rumour about Lauri Carleton shooting
Wednesday 23 August 2023 01:00 , Bevan Hurley
Hollywood director Paul Feig has spoken out about an “absolutely false” rumour spreading on social media about his friend Lauri Carleton’s murder.
Prior to authorities naming Travis Ikeguchi as the gunman, social media was rampant with bogus claims that the victim’s brother was involved.
On Monday, Mr Feig took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to shut down the claims.
“I can’t believe I actually have to address this but this is absolutely false. Totally and absolutely. The police for some reason still haven’t released the identity of the shooter but he was of no relation to Lauri. Zero. Gang, we all have to calm the rhetoric down. All of us.”
I can’t believe I actually have to address this but this is absolutely false. Totally and absolutely. The police for some reason still haven’t released the identity of the shooter but he was of no relation to Lauri. Zero. Gang, we all have to calm the rhetoric down. All of us. https://t.co/EdCi0A4VUe
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) August 21, 2023
Travis Ikeguchi spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online. Then he murdered Laura Carleton over a Pride flag
Wednesday 23 August 2023 00:30 , Bevan Hurley
Travis Ikeguchi had been spewing anti-LGBT+ content on social media for quite some time.
Behind his keyboard, the 27-year-old California man was posting images of burning Pride flags and lashing out at the LGBT+ community as well as law enforcement.
Then, he came out from behind his online persona and murdered a mother-of-nine fashion entrepreneur over the Pride flag she had dared to hang outside her own store.
The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has more:
Man who murdered Laura Carleton over Pride flag spewed anti-LGBT+ hate online
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred is ‘out of control’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 00:00 , Bevan Hurley
Anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence is “out of control” in the United States, according to Wendy Via, co-founder of Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
“Yet again, anti-LGBTQ+ hate turned to violence, and an innocent woman tragically lost her life,” Ms Via said in a statement.
“Now, an entire community is not only reeling from the tragic death, but LGBTQ+ people and their allies everywhere are once again reminded in the worst possible way of the very real threat of hate and violence they face every day.”
Ms Via said that efforts to demonise and intimidate the LGBTQ+ community had increased globally in the past year.
“It would be naive to separate these violent attacks from the anti-LGBTQ+ efforts of some politicians and far-right organisations,” she said.
“As we’ve said before, the relentless dehumanization and demonization of LGBTQ+ people by far-right politicians, extremist religious leaders, and hateful ideology adherents — often spread online — will continue to result in violence if this rhetoric and push for irrational, hateful, and rights-restricting legislation isn’t stopped.”
Lauri Carelton’s daughter says murder suspect is ‘irrelevant’
Tuesday 22 August 2023 23:30 , Bevan Hurley
Ari Carleton, the daughter of slain Californian businesswoman Lauri Carleton, says the man who shot dead her mother is “irrelevant”.
Authorities have named Travis Ikeguchi as the gunman who shot Carleton outside of her Glen Cedar clothing store Mag.Pi last Friday after he made “disparaging” remarks about her Pride flag.
In a message to NBC News, Ari Carleton said the family “doesn’t care” about the suspect.
“We will continue to steer the narrative away from him and towards my mother and honouring her. He is irrelevant,” Ms Carelton said.
“The media must stop glorifying these individuals by giving them this platform.”
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the homicide as a potential hate crime.
Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Tuesday 22 August 2023 23:00 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernadino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people in the US
Tuesday 22 August 2023 22:45 , Bevan Hurley
A mother-of-nine who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside her California store. A gay man who danced to a Beyoncé song in Brooklyn. Five patrons killed in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado.
All were appalling attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in recent months. From the disruption of drag show story hours to threats against retail employees for selling Pride merchandise, the rising threat of violence is terrifying, but unfortunately unsurprising, Sarah Moore, an Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism Analyst, told The Independent.
Andrea Cavallier reports.
Laura Carleton’s death and the growing ‘epidemic of hate’ against LGBT+ people
Paul Feig leads celebrity reactions to ‘horrific’ shooting of California store owner over Pride flag
Tuesday 22 August 2023 22:30 , Bevan Hurley
Paul Feig has shared a message after a friend of his was shot dead ouside her clothing shop in Cedar Glen, California.
“Our wonderful friend Lauri Carleton (seen in this picture) was murdered yesterday in her store @magpi_shop in Lake Arrowhead by a 27 year old man who didn’t like that she had a large pride flag hanging outside of her shop,” he wrote.
“He ripped it down and when she confronted him about it he shot and killed her. We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally. Her alleged murderer was later shot and killed by the San Bernardino police and so no longer poses a threat to the community. But this intolerance has to end.”
He continued: “Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realise their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain.”
Many of Feig’s celebrity friends and followers also paid tribute in the comments under his post.
Hollywood star Charlize Theron said Carleton’s death was “heartbreaking”, while The Office star Kate Flannery wrote: “Paul! I’m so sorry for your loss. And I’m sorry for the state of the world.”
Louis Chilton has the full story.
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks out after shooting death of shop owner over Pride flag
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
Tuesday 22 August 2023 22:00 , Bevan Hurley
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department named Travis Ikeguchi as the homophobic gunman who killed Cedar Glen store owner Laura Carleton.
Ikeguchi, 27, had a history of anti-LGBT+ posts, anti-police content along with conspiracy theories on social media, authorities said.
Accounts on X and Gab under Ikeguchi’s name, reviewed by The Independent, appear to match the hateful posts referred to by authorities.
In one post, dated 13 June and pinned to the top of the X account, Ikeguchi appeared to post an image of a burning rainbow flag.
“What to do with the LGBTQP flag?” the chilling post was captioned.
In another post on 28 June, the user took aim at same-sex marriage and abortion.
“Abortion and same-sex marriage are both immoral and are design to destroy humanity one by one,” the tweet read.
Full story below.
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
Lauri Carleton was ‘bullied’ for her support of the LGBTQ+ community
Tuesday 22 August 2023 21:30 , Bevan Hurley
Laura “Lauri” Carleton endured verbal harassment for her support of the LGBTQ+ community in the scenic Californian community of Lake Arrowhead, according to a close friend.
Robin Lyles told the Los Angeles LGBT Center that the town of Cedar Glen, where Carleton was shot dead during an argument over a rainbow flag, was generally acceptant of diversity, but had a “vocal” conservative contingent.
“She would get bullied all the time by people at the local restaurants or people walking around,” Ms Lyles said.
“But she wouldn’t take it, Lauri would always challenge them and be in someone’s face. She wasn’t going to let anyone bully her,” Ms Lyles, who owns the Lake House Collection store in Lake Arrowhead, told the website.
Authorities say Carleton, 66, was shot dead by Travis Ikeguchi on Friday in a dispute over a Pride flag hung from her Mag.Pi fashion store.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
Tuesday 22 August 2023 20:30 , Bevan Hurley
Skylar Baker-Jordan writes for Independent Voices:
“It was only a matter of time.”
That was my first thought upon hearing of the callous and hateful murder of Laura Carleton, the owner of Mag Pi Clothing in Cedar Glen, California. A straight woman, Carleton was fatally shot by a man who confronted her over an LGBTQ+ Pride flag which was displayed at her shop. Her assailant was later killed by police.
This was not the first time someone had taken issue with Carleton’s Pride flag. As The Independent has previously reported, friends of Carleton say that the flag has been ripped down multiple times. Every time, she simply replaced the flag with another, refusing to cave in to the hateful bigots who vandalized her shop.
The inevitability of something like this happening was apparent to anyone paying attention.
A murder over a Pride flag is sadly no surprise to anyone paying attention
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
Tuesday 22 August 2023 19:58 , Bevan Hurley
A 27-year-old man was gunned down by the police after he killed a beloved store owner in California following a dispute over a Pride flag outside her clothing store.
The shooter, identified as Travis Ikeguchi, killed 66-year-old Laura Ann Carleton at her clothing store “Mag Pi” at Hook Creek Road in Cedar Glen after he made “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store”, authorities in San Bernardino County said.
Before fatally shooting Carleton, the suspect tore down the LGBTQ+ Pride flag that was hanging in front of the store and “yelled homophobic slurs” toward the woman.
Ikeguchi reportedly lived in Cedar Glen and frequently posted hate-filled content on social media, sheriff’s officials said.
He appeared to have social media accounts on Gab and Twitter, where a user with his name routinely posted anti-LGBTQ+, anti-abortion, and anti-police content along with conspiracy theories.
A pinned post on his purported account on X, previously known as Twitter, shows a Pride flag on fire.
Full story below.
What we know about the gunman who shot Laura Carleton over Pride flag
A mother whose LGBTQ advocacy cost her her life: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
Tuesday 22 August 2023 19:30 , Bevan Hurley
Laura Ann Carleton, known as “Lauri” was 66 years old and was the owner of a clothing store called Mag.Pi, located in Cedar Glen, near San Bernardino in Southern California.
According to the official Mag.Pi store website, her love for fashion was sparked during her teenage years.
She started her career working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design. She then made her way to Joseph Magnin Century City and began running the “top fashion” show floor.
Progressing in her fashion career, Carleton joined Kenneth Cole and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factory and design teams in Italy and Spain.
The designer travelled with her husband Bort across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture.
Carleton said Mag.Pi,strives to tackle “everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.”
Faiza Saqib has the full story.
Mother, businesswoman and LGBTQ advocate: Who was Laura Ann Carleton?
