A California clothing store owner and designer was shot and killed outside her shop at Lake Arrowhead by a man who made “disparaging remarks” about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store.

Laura Ann Carleton, 66, was the married mother of nine children who was well known as an ally to the LGBTQ community in the area.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said the suspect, who has not yet been identified, fled on foot and was located nearby. According to ABC News, the suspect refused deputies orders to drop his handgun and was killed.

The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ organization called Carleton’s death “a very sad day” for the community.

Carleton worked for designers such as Calvin Klein and Kenneth Cole before moving to Lake Arrowhead, where she opened mag pi stores in Cedar Glen and Studio City.

Friends and would-be friends streamed by Carleton’s shop, leaving flowers — apparently requested by her family — outside the store, while many members of the LGBTQ community said it left them more fearful.

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[Featured image: Laura Ann Carleton/Facebook]