A shopkeeper and mother of nine was shot dead during an argument over a Pride flag hanging outside her shop, police said – after officers tracked down and killed the unnamed suspect in a heated firefight.
Laura Ann Carleton, the owner of the Magpi boutique in Lake Arrowhead, was shot dead on Friday after an argument with the man, during which he allegedly made several derogatory remarks about a flag hanging outside the 66-year-old’s store.
Carleton, a fashion and footwear veteran popular with members of the close-knit mountain community, died “for the values she so selflessly espouse,” friends said in a eulogy.
They also vowed that the death of Kenneth Cole’s former chief executive “would not be in vain” after officers reportedly arrived at the scene and found the woman alive – before pronouncing her dead and launching a search for the suspect .
The gunman reportedly fled the tree-lined area in front of Carleton’s store on foot before hiding in bushes on a nearby highway. Police officers spotted the suspect, still armed with a pistol, and shot him dead.
A single bullet hole was seen in the store’s window, next to which mourners had put a sign that read, “Thank you all for your love.”
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Laura Ann Carleton, the owner of the Magpi boutique in Lake Arrowhead, was killed on Friday after an argument with the unidentified man – during which he allegedly made several derogatory remarks about a flag hanging outside the 66-year-old’s shop.
“If you knew Lauri, you know that she loved a lot, laughed often and cared and protected those she cared about,” the village’s Mountain Provisions Cooperative said of the incident. “She was a force, she loved to joke and wanted to live as joyfully as possible.” We will continue to stand up for the values she so selflessly championed. “Your death will not be in vain.”
The same flag, an apparent sign of the store owner’s support towards members of the queer community, was seen unfurled and lying on the ground at the scene after Friday’s incident – leaving at least one bullet hole in the store’s facade
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
“At 5 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, officers at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an individual being shot at the Mag Pi clothing store on Hook Creek Road,” the office said in a statement Type of encounter on Saturday.
“When officers arrived they found the victim, identified as Laura Ann Carleton, suffering from a gunshot wound.
“Emergency personnel pronounced Carleton dead at the scene.”
While the update didn’t reveal the identity of the shooter, it did reveal how officers rushed to the scene after receiving a report of gunfire outside the clothing store, which normally closes at 6pm.
They “received updates from Sheriff’s Dispatch showing the suspect, who has not been identified, fled on foot and was seen on Torrey Road east of Highway 173,” officers said.
“Officers located the suspect, armed with a handgun, near Torrey Road and Rause Rancho Road.
“When officers attempted to contact the suspect, a fatal clash of violence ensued and the suspect was pronounced dead.
“No officers were injured during the incident.”
Regarding the events leading up to the first altercation, the agency responsible for the largest county in the US said the suspect “made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that was outside the store before he shot Carleton.”
The mother-of-nine owned and operated the store for more than a decade before she was killed outside the store on Friday. Police said they found her still suffering at the scene before finally pronouncing her dead
“At 5 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, officers at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an individual being shot at the Mag Pi clothing store on Hook Creek Road,” the office said in a statement Type of encounter on Saturday.
The same flag, an apparent sign of the store owner’s support to members of the LGBTQ+ community, was unfurled and seen on the ground at the scene after Friday’s incident – leaving at least one bullet hole in the store’s facade.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail – also responded at the scene and subsequently assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Officials at that department learned the suspect allegedly initiated the encounter by commenting on the Pride flag – before pointlessly shooting the mother-of-9 right outside the store she owned and operated for years.
As friends continued to mourn the late business owner on Sunday, a colorful shrine could be seen outside the eatery.
The store, which opened just over a decade ago in the quaint mountain town, was one of two trendy clothing stores Carleton had operated – the other being located on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City in Los Angeles.
Carleton – who was known to friends as Lauri – spent her time with her children and husband there and in Lake Arrowhead, where the family owned a restored 1920’s fisherman’s cottage.
Carleton – who was known to friends as Lauri – spent her time with her children and husband there and in Lake Arrowhead, where the family owned a restored 1920’s fisherman’s cottage
The store, which opened just over a decade ago in the quaint mountain town, was one of two trendy clothing stores Carleton had operated – the other being located on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City in Los Angeles
. A biography featured on the woman’s website recalls some of her achievements as a renowned fashion figure in Southern California, where she spent years as an executive for companies like Kenneth Cole before focusing on her businesses in Studio City and Lake Arrowhead respectively
A biography featured on the woman’s website commemorates some of her achievements as a renowned fashion figure in Southern California.
“Lauri Carleton’s career in fashion began early in her teens, working at Fred Segal Feet’s family business in Los Angeles while attending the Art Center School of Design.
From then on, she ran ‘the’ top fashion shoe floor in the US at Joseph Magnin Century City.
“Finally, she joined Kenneth Cole almost from the start and stayed with Kenneth Cole for over fifteen years as an executive, building highly successful companies, working with factories and design teams in Italy and Spain, and traveling more than 200 days a year.”
“With a penchant for longevity, she has been married to the same man for 28 years and is the mother of a blended family of nine children, the youngest being identical twin girls.”
“She and her husband have traveled most of the US, Europe and South America.”
“Through these journeys they have nurtured a passion for architecture, design, fine arts, food and fashion, learning to embrace and appreciate the beauty, style and brilliance of life.”
After her death, several posts and processions by members of the quiet town were broadcast to commemorate Carleton.
After her death, several posts and processions by members of the quiet town were broadcast to commemorate Carleton.
One of the village’s Mountain Provisions Cooperative remembered her as a “pillar in”. [the] Community, an unwavering force in its values of equality, love and justice.”
It read: “If you knew Lauri, you know that she loved a lot, laughed often and cared for and protected those she cared about.”
“She was a force, she loved to joke and wanted to live as joyfully as possible.” We will continue to stand up for the values she so selflessly championed.
“Your death will not be in vain.”
The police investigation into the altercation is still ongoing. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to ‘s request for comment.