A dispute over a Pride flag has resulted in the death of a shop owner who was flying the flag outside of her clothing store in California, local authorities shared.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said that a shooting occurred right outside the 66-year-old’s shop and resulted in the woman’s death last Friday. She was allegedly killed by a man who had 'disparaged' the flag; He was later shot and killed by police.
The shooter, identified as 27-year-old Cedar Glen resident Travis Ikeguchi, fled by foot, but he was later found and killed after opening fire on officers from the department.
"Deputies returned fire and struck the suspect," according to San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus. Officials attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, and Ikeguchi was pronounced dead at the scene.
The sheriff’s department said that before the shooting, the man had “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store.”
During a press conference held Monday, Sheriff Dicus said, "From a preliminary standpoint, it looks like the suspect acted alone, but we want to be sure that that's the case, and there are no hate groups or anything else associated with this."
Laura Ann Carleton, the owner of Mag.Pi, was pronounced dead at the scene in Cedar Glen, California.
The investigation is ongoing.
CBS News Los Angeles spoke with an LGBTQ+ group near where Carleton was killed. They said she didn’t identify as a member of the community but still spent time supporting and advocating for their rights.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe released a statement on the shooting, calling it “tragic” that such a “beloved” community member lost their life.
“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,” Rowe said. “Lauri was a remarkable member of the community, and I send my deepest condolences to her family in this time of grief.”
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