Paul Feig posts tribute to friend killed over Pride flag outside store

Ghostbusters director Paul Feig reveals California store owner gunned down for hanging LGBT Pride flag in store was his friend

• Laura Ann Carleton, the 66-year-old owner of Magpi boutique in Lake Arrowhead was killed Friday after an argument with a man shot dead by cops
• Carleton, a fashion and footwear industry veteran beloved by the community, died ‘for the values she so selflessly stood for’, friends said 
• On Sunday, ‘Ghostbusters’ director Paul Feig shared a photo alongside Carleton, adding that they were friends and calling for anti-LGBTQ+ violence to end 

‘Ghostbusters’ director Paul Feig has revealed the California store owner who was shot and killed over a Pride flag at her store was his ‘wonderful friend’.

In an Instagram tribute, the notable Hollywood producer said Magpi boutique owner Laura Ann Carleton was a ‘true ally’ of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Carleton, a mom-of-nine, was shot Friday evening outside her Lake Arrowhead store after an unidentified suspect allegedly tore down her hanging Pride flag. 

Feig wrote in his Instagram post Saturday night that ‘this intolerance has to end’ and that he is committed to making sure her death will not ‘be in vain.’ 

‘Bridesmaids’ director Paul Feig (left) has shared that California store owner Laura Ann Carleton (right) who was shot and killed over a Pride flag at her store was a friend of his

Carleton, a mom-of-nine, was shot Friday evening outside her Lake Arrowhead Magpi boutique (pictured) after an unidentified suspect allegedly tore down her hanging Pride flag 

‘Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love,’ Feig wrote. 

Others in the entertainment industry who commemorated Carleton over the weekend included Andy Cohen, Adam Scott, Sophia Bush, Charlize Theron and Kristin Davis. 

In the tribute, Feig spoke out against the 27-year-old suspect who ‘didn’t like that she had a pride flag hanging outside her shop’ and ripped it down.   

‘He ripped it down and when she confronted him about it he shot and killed her,’ Feig wrote, adding that he is ‘devastated for her husband Bort and her family.’ 

The director also said that it’s a tremendous loss for the LGBTQ+ community, who lost a ‘true ally’ in Carleton. 

Carleton (pictured) was shot after the suspect tore allegedly tore down her Pride flag and made multiple disparaging remarks about the sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community

A single bullet hole could be seen in the store’s front window on Saturday, next to which someone had taped a sign reading: ‘Thank you all for your love’

Feig ended his post with a plea for his followers to usher forth love and acceptance. 

Sex and the City star Kristin Davis wrote a heartfelt tribute to Carlton on Instagram.

‘I had the pleasure of meeting Lauri and shopping in her charming store over the summer. I cannot comprehend what has happened and I can only imagine what her family and close friends are going through. 

‘We cannot rest in our work towards love and understanding and equality for every person. It is abundantly clear that divisive senseless hate is the only motive for this hate crime.‘ the actor wrote. 

Feig’s message was echoed by ‘Somebody Somewhere’ star Bridget Everett who also posted about the woman’s murder and Carleton’s affinity for standing up to hate.   

‘In the past, when someone took down her flag or vandalized it, she’d put up another one, Everett wrote alongside a picture of the Southern California store owner. 

‘The last time I saw Lauri was, oddly enough, at Lake Arrowhead pride both in the parade and then at a party. All that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has a price,’ she added. 

Famous friends of both Feig and Everett littered their comments with condolences and messages of love and support for Carleton’s family. 

‘Just infuriating and heartbreaking. My heart goes out to her family, just senseless,’ wrote ‘Parks and Recreations’ and ‘Party Down’ star Adam Scott. 

‘This is devastating and infuriating,’ shared ‘Broad City’ actor Abbi Jacobson. ‘Heartbreaking,’ wrote Charlize Theron, along with a red heart emoji.

‘Oh this is just awful,’ added comedian Amy Sedaris.  

Feig’s message was echoed by ‘Somebody Somewhere’ star Bridget Everett who also posted about the woman’s murder and Carleton’s affinity for standing up to hate

Famous friends of both Feig and Everett littered their comments with condolences and messages of love and support for Carleton’s family

‘Broad City’ actor Abbi Jacobson, ‘Parks and Recreations’ star Adam Scott, and comedian Amy Sedaris were just a few of the names to share their condolences on Instagram

‘Heartbreaking,’ wrote Charlize Theron, along with a red heart emoji

When deputies arrived at the scene of the shooting, Carleton was reportedly still alive but was later pronounced dead as officials searched for the suspect. 

The gunman fled the area outside Carleton’s store on foot, before dipping away in brush by a nearby highway. 

Cops spotted the suspect, still armed with a handgun, and shot him dead.

Over the weekend, mourners showed up in droves to show their love and support for the pillar of the community taken too soon. 

A single bullet hole could be seen in the store’s front window on Saturday, next to which someone had taped a sign reading: ‘Thank you all for your love.’ 

That Pride flag at the center of the shooting was seen unfurled and on the ground at the scene following the incident Friday. 

Carleton – who known to friends as Lauri – split time with her kids and husband there and in Lake Arrowhead, where the family owned a restored 1920’s Fisherman’s Cabin

The mom-of-nine owned and operated the store for more than a decade, before being killed outside of the establishment on Friday. Cops said they found her on the scene still suffering before eventually pronouncing her dead 

. A biography offered on the woman’s website harks back to some of her accomplishments as a renowned fashion figure in Southern California, where she spent years as an exec for firms like Kenneth Cole, before focusing on her stores in Studio City and Lake Arrowhead respectively

In a joint tribute to their mother posted Sunday afternoon, Carleton’s twin daughters commemorated their mother’s life, thanking the public for their support. 

‘As most of you know our beautiful mommy was taken from us in a senseless act of violence on Friday August 18th. She was murdered over a pride flag that she proudly hung on her storefront,’ Kelsey and Ari Carleton shared. 

‘Make no mistake, this was a hate crime. Her flags had been torn down before and she always responded by putting up a bigger one. Our family is broken. 

We have a long road ahead of us as we navigate this new reality without our loving matriarch. We find peace in knowing she passed quickly in a place she cherished, doing what she loved while fiercely defending something she believed in. 

‘She was fearless, cool and compassionate- always putting others first. 

‘We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that our family has received from loved ones and strangers alike, it has provided hope and light in our darkest days. We will continue to advocate for love, equality and acceptance in everything that we do. 

‘Love will always triumph hate,’ they wrote. 

‘As most of you know our beautiful mommy was taken from us in a senseless act of violence on Friday August 18th. She was murdered over a pride flag that she proudly hung on her storefront,’ Carleton’s twin daughters posted on Instagram Sunday 

The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail also responded to the scene, at which point they assumed responsibility over the investigation.

The store, which opened in the scenic mountain village just over a decade ago, was one of two trendy clothing shops that had been operated by Carleton – with the other located on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City in Los Angeles.

Carleton –  known to friends as Lauri – split time with her kids and husband there and in Lake Arrowhead, where the family owned a restored 1920’s Fisherman’s Cabin.

A biography offered on the woman’s website harks back to some of her accomplishments as a renowned fashion figure in Southern California.

‘Lauri Carleton’s  career in fashion began early in her teens, working in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles while attending Art Center School of Design. 

‘From there she ran ‘the’ top fashion shoe floor in the US at Joseph Magnin Century City. 

‘Eventually she joined Kenneth Cole almost from its inception and remained there for over fifteen years as an executive, building highly successful businesses, working with factories and design teams in Italy and Spain, and traveling 200 plus days a year. 

Carleton was married to her husband for more than 28 years prior to her death

The couple had a blended family of nine children, according to a bio on her website 

‘With a penchant for longevity, she has been married to the same man for 28 years and is the mother of a blended family of nine children, the youngest being identical twin girls.

‘She and her husband have traveled the greater part of the US, Europe and South America. 

‘From these travels they have nourished a passion for architecture, design, fine art, food, fashion, and have consequently learned to drink in and appreciate the beauty, style and brilliance of life.’

The investigation into the altercation is still ongoing. 

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