A dispute over an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a California clothing store spiraled into deadly violence this weekend when a man shot and killed the 66-year-old business owner right in front of her shop, authorities said.
The man ran away from the store after the shooting Friday night but was later found and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The agency said Laura Ann Carleton was pronounced dead at Mag.Pi, the store she owned and operated in Cedar Glen. The small community in the San Bernadino Mountains is roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles.
Before the shooting, the man “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store,” sheriff's officials said.
It was not immediately clear what happened when officers confronted the man, whose identity hadn't been released as of Sunday.
Carleton, who preferred to be called “Lauri,” is survived by her husband and nine children in a blended family.
An LGBTQ group in nearby Lake Arrowhead said Carleton didn’t identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. But she spent time helping and advocating for everyone, and was defending her Pride flags placed in front of her shop on the night of the shooting, the group said.
There was an outpouring of support on social media over the weekend, with commenters expressing shock and sadness on the store's accounts. Many included rainbow flag emojis.
Law enforcement agencies in several states have investigated the destruction of rainbow Pride flags as potential hate crimes in recent years.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her intention to resign.
A white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket was sentenced to life in prison without parole Wednesday after listening to relatives of his victims express the pain and rage caused by his racist attack.
Three men who died on Lake Champlain after falling through thin layers of ice are prompting to levy warnings about winter activities. Typically around this time of year, ice is thick enough to withstand weight but warm weather has made it more difficult.
Weng Sor, a 62-year-old Las Vegas, Nev., resident, was also charged with attempted murder for his alleged attack Monday.
More details are emerging out of East Palestine, Ohio with officials discovering three additional chemicals following the Norfolk Southern train derailment and controlled burn of hazardous materials.
Cheddar News correspondent Shannon LaNier visited Dylan's Candy Bar in midtown Manhattan for a grand tour of what the legendary sweets shop has on offer for Valentine's Day. He also interviewed CEO Dylan Lauren, who served as guide through the iconic candy store.
It is still not known where the second, third, and fourth flying objects shot down by U.S. military fighter jets originated from, a White House spokesperson said Monday.
Armen Adamjan, @creative_explained on TikTok, joined Cheddar News to provide some useful tips on how to clean at home with some easy to find household items.
Authorities say a man driving a U-Haul truck struck and injured several people in New York City before police were able to pin the vehicle against a building.
Thousands left homeless by a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria a week ago packed into crowded tents or lined up in the streets for hot meals Monday,
