By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY – Senior Writer
At about 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, deputies from the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a shooting at the Mag Pi clothing boutique at 28939 Hook Creek Road in Cedar Glen. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as 66-year-old Laura Ann Carleton, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel pronounced Carleton dead at the scene.
The shooter was identified on Aug. 21 as 27-year-old Travis Ikeguchi of Cedar Glen. During the investigation, Ikeguchi did not have identification on his person and investigators were unable to immediately identify him. He reportedly fled the scene on foot, was spotted by sheriff’s deputies a short time later in the vicinity of Torrey Road and Rause Ranch Road, near MacKay Park, armed with a handgun.
When the suspect reportedly failed to heed a deputy’s warning to drop his weapon, he was subsequently shot and killed. No deputies were injured during the incident.
Bullet hole in the entrance door.
An unidentified woman, one of several mourners in front of the clothing store on Saturday, told the Alpine Mountaineer that Carleton, known as Lauri, was killed over a Pride flag hanging in front of the store. An employee at the adjoining Cedar Glen Inn restaurant, who witnessed the incident and reported it to authorities, said the suspect tore the flag, which apparently angered Carleton, who came outside to complain and was shot twice by the suspect. When asked what type of handgun was used to commit the crime, the unidentified employee, based on the size of a bullet hole in the glass entrance door to the shop, guessed it was at least a 9-millimeter weapon.
Based on preliminary investigation, the firearm used in the murder of Carleton is believed to be unregistered. It is a Smith & Wesson, Model 6906, 9mm, semi-automatic handgun. Investigators are currently working with other law enforcement partners to determine additional information related to the firearm.
Facebook posts on Saturday indicated that Carleton had previously been threatened over the flag, even though she was not gay, but an ally. Others who knew Carleton posted that her other Mag Pi clothing boutique in Studio City had been the victim of a flash mob robbery on Dec. 20, 2022.
The Pride flag Lauri Carleton had flying in front of her boutique lies on the ground after the suspect purportedly tore it down. (Facebook photo)
According to a sheriff’s department press release issued on Aug. 19, the incident is under investigation by the sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail. Through further investigation, detectives learned that the suspect had made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that flew outside the store before shooting Carleton.
Because the investigation is ongoing, no further details are being released at this time. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 78-CRIME (27463)
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