Laura Ann Lauri Carleton, 66, was shot and killed on August 18, 2023, outside her Cedar Glen clothing store, Mag.Pi, after a confrontation with a man who objected to a Pride flag displayed there. The man used homophobic slurs during the encounter; he was later identified as 26-year-old Travis Ikeguchi. Ikeguchi had posted anti-LGBTQ+ material on social media and fled the scene after shooting Carleton.

Officers located Ikeguchi afterward; during the confrontation he opened fire on law enforcement and was shot and killed when officers returned fire. Carleton, described by her family as a mother of nine and a committed supporter of inclusivity, had previously experienced harassment over the Pride flag. The shooting is being investigated as a potential hate crime and drew public condemnation from figures and organizations who warned about anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

If anyone saw the incident, knew Carleton, or has information about the suspect’s actions before or after the shooting, please share what can help the investigation.