Pleasure flag killing suspect’s social media included anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-police content material, California authorities say

By Alisha Ebrahimji, Josh Campbell and Taylor Romine | CNN

The person accused of fatally taking pictures a Southern California clothes retailer proprietor after an argument a couple of rainbow Pleasure flag hanging outdoors her enterprise, had social media accounts containing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-law-enforcement materials, sheriff’s workplace officers mentioned in a Monday information convention.

Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton, 66, died from a gunshot wound Friday night at her retailer, Magazine.Pi, in Cedar Glen, about 80 miles by automotive east of Los Angeles, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned.

The suspected shooter, Travis Ikeguchi, 27, additionally died following a shootout with deputies after fleeing the primary taking pictures, authorities mentioned.

Ikeguchi had torn down the flag and yelled “many homophobic slurs” towards Carleton and shot Carleton when she confronted him, Sheriff Shannon Dicus mentioned. Ikeguchi had additionally made “a number of disparaging remarks” concerning the flag earlier than taking pictures Carleton, the sheriff’s workplace mentioned in a information launch.

The shop’s flag has been torn down a number of instances earlier than, however it was all the time changed with a much bigger flag, Carleton’s daughter, Ari Carleton advised CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday.

Carleton, who didn’t determine as LGBTQ+, advocated for “everybody in the neighborhood,” Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+, a company with which she labored intently and to which she was a big donor, mentioned in an announcement.

The assault comes as LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters have confronted threats and acts of violence alongside “an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws in 2023,” in line with the Human Rights Marketing campaign.

“LGBTQ+ People live in a state of emergency. The multiplying threats going through thousands and thousands in our group usually are not simply perceived – they’re actual, tangible and harmful,” the group’s president, Kelley Robinson, mentioned in June when it declared a nationwide state of emergency for the group.

“That is completely horrific,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned in a social media post concerning the taking pictures. “This disgusting hate has no place in” California.

Suspect posted anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric on-line

When deputies tried to apprehend Ikeguchi, the suspect shot at San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies, hanging a number of of their autos, the deputies returned fireplace and shot Ikeguchi, who died on the scene, Dicus mentioned. A gun recovered the place Ikeguchi died seems to be the identical gun used to shoot Carleton, in line with the sheriff.

Investigators nonetheless are investigating the motive in Carleton’s killing, Dicus mentioned.

Ikeguchi, who lived in Cedar Glen, had social media accounts containing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-law enforcement materials, sheriff officers mentioned in a information convention late Monday.

Platforms utilized by the suspect included Twitter, not too long ago rebranded as X; in addition to Gab, a platform standard amongst far-right extremists.

Authorities had been conscious of an X account belonging to the suspect that contained a burning Pleasure flag as its pinned put up, Dicus mentioned Monday.

An X account showing to belong to Ikeguchi contained quite a few anti-LGBTQ+ posts, in line with a assessment by CNN. One other put up was important of abortion and same-sex marriage, describing each as a “conflict” in opposition to household values.

In a put up important of legislation enforcement, the consumer accused officers of utilizing “sociopathic schemes.”

A fearless and selfless group advocate

“She was so fearless, and any unfavorable response she simply powered by means of,” Ari Carleton mentioned, including her mother was by no means afraid for her security and wasn’t afraid to face as much as anyone.

When Lauri Carleton’s household returned house after the taking pictures Friday evening, a package deal with a brand new Pleasure flag was ready at their doorstep to switch the prevailing one because it had light from the solar, Ari Carleton mentioned.

She described her mom as selfless, sort and compassionate. Throughout the winter when individuals in San Bernardino County had been impacted by heavy snowfall, her mother and father opened a storefront subsequent to Magazine.Pi, handy out meals and provides.

“I do know that she handed standing up for one thing she believed in,” Ari Carleton mentioned.

Numerous individuals have reached out to the household to share what her mother and the flag meant to them, together with a household good friend who mentioned the flag impressed that individual a number of weeks in the past to return out to her household, Ari Carleton mentioned.

“I wish to make it possible for … we simply deal with who she was as an individual – simply stunning in and out – and that all of us transfer ahead by preaching love and acceptance and equality in her honor,” Ari Carleton mentioned.

Hollywood director Paul Feig paid tribute to Lauri Carleton, calling her an exquisite good friend.