On Friday, a 66-year-old California clothing store owner named Lauri Carleton was shot and killed in front of her establishment in Cedar Glen, a little over 80 miles east of Los Angeles, following a confrontation over a pride flag displayed on the premises.
The suspect, who has been identified as a 27-year-old man named Travis Ikeguchi, was killed by local authorities when he opened fire upon them. Ikeguchi had a history of posting hateful messages against the LGBTQ community online. For her part, Carleton did not identify as LGBTQ, but considered herself an ally of the community.
I think of the places I have lived over the past 15 years - Jamaica Plain, the Upper West Side, Midtown Atlanta and now Cambridge. Pride flags are ubiquitous in businesses and private residences alike in these communities, especially here in Cambridge. You notice these things and at the same time you don't notice them because it's like they were always here even though nothing could be further from the truth.
Whether this was the act of a madman or someone who took his cues from the right-wing ecosphere, this killing is a stark reminder that hate is never far away and can manifest itself with deadly force in an instant. One can hope such a tragedy will not deter individuals and business owners from displaying pride flags, especially in Cedar Glen, California. If anything, one can further hope it would firm their resolve.
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