Laura Ann Carleton, a 66-year-old shopkeeper who owned a clothing store in Cedar Glen, California, was shot and killed after confronting a man who pulled down the rainbow Pride flag displayed outside her store. Carleton reportedly made disparaging remarks before opening fire with a handgun. He fled but was later shot dead by police. Carleton was regarded as an ally of the local LGBTQ+ community, even though she did not identify as such herself. Her death has sparked tributes from friends and activists who note rising incidents of violence and harassment targeting the LGBTQ+ community across the U.S. in recent months. Notably, over 350 such attacks have occurred from June 2022 to April 2023 alone according to recent reports.

    • silverdk@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Because naming killers in situations like this encourage others to do the same.

    • PoliticalAgitator@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      To what end? The backstory will follow the same basic pattern it always does.

      Probably white, almost certainty male and definitely far-right. Increasingly radicalised by online content. Bought a gun because he legally could and carried it around everywhere for 6 months, hoping for a chance to shoot somebody. Eventually lost control of his delicate little emotions and killed someone.