The man accused of shooting an employee inside the Family Research Council was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on assault and firearms charges — though not of any hate crime or domestic terrorism charges that officials initially speculated could come in the case.
The grand jury indicted Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of Herndon, on the two charges he originally faced — assault with intent to kill and interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition — as well as a third charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
The charges stem from a shooting inside the lobby of the conservative Christian-based family organization on Aug. 15.
The court documents state that Mr. Corkins interacted with a security guard in the lobby of the Chinatown-based council and a witness heard Mr. Corkins say something to the effect of, “I don´t like your politics.” Mr. Corkins then pulled a loaded Sig Sauer 9 mm pistol from his backpack, court documents state, and shot the security guard, who was able to wrestle the gun away from Mr. Corkins and subdue him.
The Family Research Council has been outspoken on hot-button social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. Most recently, it spoke out in support of fast food chain Chick-fil-A after same-sex marriage advocates were outraged at company President Dan Cathy’s comment that his business supported traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Mr. Corkins’ parents told investigators that their son “has strong opinions with respect to those he believes do not treat homosexuals in a fair manner,” court documents state.
William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors declined to comment about the possibility of other charges against Mr. Corkins, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
A public defender listed as representing Mr. Corkins could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Mr. Corkins is scheduled to appear in federal court for an arraignment and detention hearing on Friday. He now faces a total of 55 years in prison for the combined charges.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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