A store owner in California was fatally shot over the Pride flag she had displayed outside of her clothing boutique. Some say California’s governor isn’t doing enough to stop crime in the state. Here’s the full story.
Her American Dream
At an early age, Lauri Carleton knew she wanted to work in the fashion industry.
She opened up a clothing store in Lake Arrowhead, California to live out her dream.
She Supported Her Family
Mag Pi was the name of Carleton’s clothing store where she worked to support her blended family of nine children and her husband of 28 years.
She Was a “Pillar” in the Community
One of Carleton’s friends described her as “a pillar” in the community and “an immovable force in her values for equality, love, and justice.”
Because of her values for equality, Carleton proudly displayed a Pride flag outside of her clothing store.
Confrontation Over Pride Flag
After having a dispute and a confrontation with a man over the Pride flag that was displayed, Carleton was fatally shot by the man at her clothing store in Lake Arrowhead, California.
The Suspect Didn’t Like the Flag
In a news release, detectives said that the suspect had made “several disparaging remarks” about the rainbow flag that was outside of Carleton’s store.
She Was an Advocate
On Instagram, the account Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ said that even though Carleton did not identify as a member of the queer community, she was an “advocate for everyone in the community.”
Her Store Was Welcoming and Safe
Some members of the community said the Pride flag at Carleton’s store made them feel “welcome and safe.”
People on Twitter said Carleton was “more than an ally” for the LGBTQ+ community.
Passionate Reactions
Carleton’s tragic murder has caused passionate reactions from people on social media who accuse the shooter of being a “MAGA” supporter.
Worried About Far-Right Trump Supporters
One Twitter user said he was “worried about being killed by a Trump supporting, LGBTQ hating, assault rifle owning, looking for a fight, domestic terrorist” after hearing the news about the clothing store owner being shot.
The Flag Is a Symbol of Love
Roshmax on Twitter said he was “heartbroken to hear about a business owner being tragically taken from us simply for displaying a symbol of love and acceptance.”
Newsom Tweets
Gavin Newsom, the democratic governor of California, posted a tweet describing the situation as “absolutely horrific.” He also said, “This disgusting hate has no place in CA.”
Social Media Is in an Uproar
Twitter users responded to Newsom’s post with backlash.
One user told Newsom, “You only cherry pick the horrors happening in California to divide & conquer. Why not comment on the rampant crime that goes unpunished in your state?”
Newsom Has Been Quiet About Crime
Californians have not been happy with how “quiet” Newsom has been in regards to violent crimes happening in the state.
Roseanne Barr commented on Newsom’s post saying, “Oh cool, you finally noticed a violent crime in California.”
There Is a Lot of Crime
Another Twitter user commented on Newsom’s tweet with pictures of several other business owners in California who had been murdered without being mentioned.
Newsom Picks and Chooses
The Twitter user said he had posted “a few victims” who were killed during a robbery in California.
He criticized Newsom for never mentioning these victims in a tweet.
Newsom’s Narrative
The Twitter user went on to say that Newsom chose to tweet about the store owner who was killed over a Pride flag “because it fits his narrative.”
Newsom Speaks Out Against Target Removing LGBTQ Merchandise From Stores
When Target stores nationwide announced they were removing certain items and making changes to other LGBTQ+ merchandise just before Pride month, Governor Gavin Newsom spoke out about it.
People Should Be Alarmed
Newsom said “people should be alarmed to hear about attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.”
He accused the CEO of Target, Brian Cornell, of “selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists.”
Newsom Blames the Far-Right
In a separate incident earlier in the year, a Pride flag was set on fire at an elementary school in Los Angeles.
Newsom called it a “full-throated purge effort” that was created “by the far-right.”
Boycott Binge and Cancel Crusade
Newsom accused the far-right of being on a “boycott binge and cancel crusade, trying to eliminate the existence of minority communities.”
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The post A Far-Right Extremist Has Murdered an LGBT Supporter Because of the Pride Flag in Her Store first appeared on Career Step Up
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sandor Szmutko. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: NBC News
