Household of California retailer proprietor Laura Ann Carleton shot lifeless by homophobe, 27, over Satisfaction flag model homicide a ‘HATE CRIME’ – and say ‘fearless’ mother was repeatedly focused

The devastated household of a California retailer proprietor who was shot lifeless by a homophobic gunman have branded her homicide a ‘hate crime‘ – and stated the ‘fearless’ mother was decided to battle again in opposition to hate by hanging an even bigger flag every time one was torn down.

Laura Ann Carleton, 66, was killed exterior her vogue retailer in Cedar Glen, close to Lake Arrowhead, after Travis Ikeguchi, 27, allegedly made several homophobic remarks to her and pulled down a Satisfaction flag.  

Police say after killing Carleton on Friday, the gunman – who had a number of anti-LGBTQ+ posts on his social media – fled on foot earlier than being shot by a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Workplace deputy.

Ikeguchi reportedly shot at authorities together with his Smith & Wesson 9mm computerized handgun, refusing to drop the weapon earlier than they fired again, killing him on the scene.

Carleton has been described as ‘fearless, cool and compassionate’ by her two youngest daughters, Ari and Kelsey.

Married Laura Ann Carleton, 66, was killed exterior her vogue retailer in Cedar Glen, close to Lake Arrowhead, after Travis Ikeguchi, 27, allegedly made a number of homophobic remarks to her

The twins described their household as ‘damaged’ after the ‘mindless act of violence’, saying they’ll ‘proceed to advocate for love, equality and acceptance in the whole lot that we do.’

In a social media submit, they stated: ‘She was murdered over a Satisfaction flag that she proudly held on her storefront.

Ikeguchi reportedly shot at authorities together with his Smith & Wesson 9mm computerized handgun, refusing to drop the weapon earlier than they fired again

‘Make no mistake, this was a hate crime. Her flags had been torn down earlier than and he or she all the time responded by placing up an even bigger one.

‘Our household is damaged. We now have a protracted highway forward of us as we navigate this new actuality with out our loving matriarch.

‘We discover peace in understanding she handed shortly in a spot she cherished, doing what she liked whereas fiercely defending one thing she believed in. She was fearless, cool and compassionate- all the time placing others first.

‘We’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection and help that our household has obtained from family members and strangers alike,it has offered hope and light-weight in our darkest days. Love will all the time triumph hate.’

Her husband Bort, a shoe designer, had seven youngsters earlier than marrying Carleton and the couple then adopted twin ladies, 

A longstanding LGBTQ+ advocate, Carleton shared a picture of ‘the little ebook of PRIDE’ in 2021, with the caption ‘Love IS Love’.

The twins described their household as ‘damaged’ after the ‘mindless act of violence’, saying they’ll ‘proceed to advocate for love, equality and acceptance in the whole lot that we do’

Her husband Bort, a shoe designer, had seven youngsters earlier than marrying Carleton and the couple then adopted twin ladies

The shop, which opened within the scenic mountain village simply over a decade in the past, was considered one of two stylish clothes outlets that had been operated by Carleton – with the opposite positioned on Ventura Boulevard in Studio Metropolis in Los Angeles

Her youngsters stated that she was ‘by no means afraid to face as much as anyone’ and revealed that she had ordered a brand new flag to exchange the outdated one which had been ‘fading’ 

Locals have described her as a ‘pillar locally’ who was an ‘immovable pressure in her values for equality, love, and justice.’

Carleton had reportedly been beforehand focused on a number of events and had Satisfaction flags torn down.

Her youngsters stated she was ‘by no means afraid to face as much as anyone’ and revealed she had ordered a brand new flag to exchange the outdated one which had been ‘fading’ – which arrived shortly after her demise.

Ari advised CNN it was ‘onerous and emotional’ to see the flag and welcomed the memorials put up exterior the Magazine.Pi retailer to ‘honor’ her mom.

Carleton put small Satisfaction flags exterior her retailer initially to indicate her help, however individuals stored taking them.

The courageous mom reportedly ordered an even bigger flag every time one was stolen earlier than the deadly incident on Friday.

Her buddy Melissa Lawton advised CBS Mornings that Carlton advised her final yr that she was scared she would ‘get into an altercation’ over the flags.

‘These motherf*****s tear it down, and I simply put a brand new one again up, and I am scared that I will get into an altercation some day’,’ Lawson stated.

Locals have described her as a ‘pillar locally’ who was an ‘immovable pressure in her values for equality, love, and justice’ 

Carleton had reportedly been focused on a number of events earlier than of the Satisfaction flags, which had been torn down prior to now

Ari advised CNN that it was ‘onerous and emotional’ to see the flag and welcomed the flags and different memorials put up exterior the Magazine.Pi retailer to ‘honor’ her mom

California Governor Gavin Newsom described her demise as ‘completely horrific’, including ‘this disgusting hate has no place in CA’ 

GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League have tracked greater than 350 anti-LGBTQ+ assaults throughout the nation this yr

Police say that Ikeguchi, of Cedar Glen, tore down the flag and had a confrontation with Carleton earlier than following her into the shop and taking pictures her lifeless.

He had a number of posts rallying in opposition to the LGBTQ+ group on his social media on the time of the incident. 

One submit pinned to the highest of an account included the picture of a Satisfaction flag on hearth. 

‘We have to STOP COMPROMISING on this LGBT dictatorship and never allow them to take over our lives! Cease accepting this abomination that the federal government is forcing us to submit to those mentally disordered tyrants,’ he wrote.

The gun allegedly used within the taking pictures was not registered to Ikeguchi, nor was he a hid weapon holder, in line with the sheriff.

A day earlier than the taking pictures, his household had reported him lacking, and he was not on the radar of authorities earlier than the incident.

Earlier than her demise, Carleton reportedly advised pals that those that didn’t agree with the flags ‘did not have to buy’ in her retailer.

The staunch LGBTQ+ ally as soon as left an envelope crammed with money for a buddy whose two indicators had been stolen from exterior her house – supporting President Biden and one other saying ‘Love Is Love’.

On the social media website GAB, Ikeguchi railed in opposition to the LGBTQ and included an image of a burning Satisfaction flag

Ikeguchi’s GAB – a running a blog website typically identified for its right-wing customers – web page was crammed with references to faith, anti-democracy, anti-police and references to defending himself

Police say that Ikeguchi, of Cedar Glen, tore down the flag and had a confrontation with Carleton earlier than following her into the shop and taking pictures her lifeless

Carleton wrote her a letter with a easy message of ‘purchase an even bigger signal’, in a bid to face as much as those that had eliminated them.

She had a protracted and notable profession in L.A.’s vogue world, working at Fred Segal, Joseph Magnin Century Metropolis and Kenneth Cole.

Cole posted an announcement on social media confirming Carleton had been a buddy and a long-time affiliate of his firm. Cole known as Carleton’s slaying ‘an pointless and tragic demise.’ 

California Governor Gavin Newsom described her demise as ‘completely horrific’, including ‘this disgusting hate has no place in CA.’ 

The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ group added: ‘Immediately was a really unhappy day for Lake Arrowhead and for the LGBTQ group. 

‘Our buddy and supporter Lauri Carleton  was murdered defending her LGBTQ+ Satisfaction flags in entrance of her retailer in Cedar Glen, California.

‘Lauri didn’t establish as LGBTQ+ however spent her time serving to & advocating for everybody locally. She shall be really missed.’

Carleton – who identified to pals as Lauri – break up time along with her children and husband there and in Lake Arrowhead, the place the household owned a restored 1920’s Fisherman’s Cabin

Actress Bridget Everett confirmed it was not the primary encounter Carleton confronted over displaying the Satisfaction flag

 Earlier than her demise, Carleton reportedly advised pals that those that didn’t agree with the flags ‘did not have to buy’ in her retailer

Director of ‘Bridesmaids’ Paul Feig additionally paid tribute to Laura, calling her a ‘great particular person’.

He added: ‘What occurred to her is an absolute tragedy. If individuals do not assume anti-gay & trans rhetoric is not harmful, assume once more.’

Actress Bridget Everett confirmed it was not the primary encounter Carleton confronted over displaying the Satisfaction flag.

She stated: ‘Prior to now, when somebody took down her flag or vandalized it, she’d put up one other one.

‘The final time I noticed Lauri was, oddly sufficient, at Lake Arrowhead Satisfaction each within the parade after which at a celebration.

‘All that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has a worth. And now, Lauri’s husband Bort, her daughters, pals and group are devastated. And for what?’

Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD, stated in an announcement: ‘The tragic, focused killing of Lauri over the delight flag displayed at her Lake Arrowhead retailer was mindless and, sadly, a part of a rising variety of assaults on LGBTQ individuals and our allies.’

GLAAD and the Anti-Defamation League have tracked greater than 350 anti-LGBTQ+ assaults throughout the nation this yr.