Rainbow #Shootback Posters have West Hollywood on Edge

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — Residents are on edge after stickers and posters of a modify rainbow Gadsden Flag with the hashtag #shootback were plastered around West Hollywood on Thursday.

The stickers and posters were posted on light poles, electrical boxes and other fixtures around town as early as Wednesday night, according to the Los Angeles Times.

One resident told KNX it was upsetting to see the signs around West Hollywood.

"I think of West Hollywood as a neighborhood that's tolerant and promotes peace," she said. "And violence just begets violence."

The flag, which was a modified version of the Gadsden Flag that is often associated with the Tea Party movement, features a rattlesnake on a rainbow background and the hashtag #shootback, referencing the deadly shooting at an Orlando, Florida gay club.

In that shooting, 49 people were killed and another 53 were injured. Following the shooting, gay pride gatherings around the country increased their security measures, including the Los Angeles Gay Pride Festival and Parade.

"We don't believe in an eye for an eye, and we advocate against gun violence," West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister told the Times.

Hours after the Orlando shooting, an Indiana man was arrested in Santa Monica with a car full of arsenals and explosives. He told authorities he was heading to the Pride Parade. Authorities said there was no connection between him and the shooting in Orlando. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond on weapon charges.

Photos posted on Twitter showed the sticker and posters were posted near the Abbey Food and Bar. The popular gay club was considering increasing its security for high-profile events following the attacks.

According to LAist, the stickers and posters may be the work of Sabo, an L.A.-based street artist. The site was unable to get a confirmation from the artist, but received this respond back in an email: "ALL I CAN SAY IS "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE GAY DOESNT MEAN YOU HAVE TO BE A PUSSY." ;)"

Despite the prevalence of the stickers and posters, the Los County Sheriff's Department-West Hollywood Station said it has not received any reports from residents. The department only learned of the signs after receiving calls from the media, a watch sergeant said.

The department is currently not investigating the incident because there was no report to refer back to, the watch sergeant said.

Photo courtesy of Fernando Machado @TheRealFernyMac