A woman in California has been shot dead after a disagreement regarding a Rainbow Pride flag hanging outside her clothing store.
A business owner, wife and mother of nine, 66-year-old Laura Carleton was shot dead at 5pm on Friday.
The shooting took place outside her store, Magpi, which she owned and operated in Lake Arrowhead.
According to ABC News, the gunman fled from the store, however, was later found and killed by officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Before the shooting, the man made "several remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store", sheriff's officials told ABC News.
The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ organization posted a message on its Facebook page honouring Carleton, where they described her as a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights.
"Today was a very sad day for Lake Arrowhead and for the LGBTQ community," they wrote.
"Our friend and supporter Lauri Carleton was murdered defending her LGBTQ+ Pride flags in front of her store in Cedar Glen, California."
According to the group, Carleton did not identify as LGBTQ+ however she spent time helping and advocating for everyone in the community.
There was an outpouring of support on social media over the weekend, with commenters expressing shock and sadness at the news of her death.
Mountain Provisions Cooperative shared photos of flowers and flags outside her store on Facebook, in honour of her passing.
"We must respect the freedom and rights of everyone, even those we might disagree with," one person commented.
"Our pride flag is flying in her memory," another wrote.
A third person commented, "I feel the same as others, my heart aches for her husband and family left behind due to this senseless act."
Several comments included rainbow flag emojis.
