Floyd Lee Corkins II will become the first person charged under a 2002 terrorism statute in the District. Corkins was indicted Wednesday for shooting a security guard at the downtown headquarters for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian lobbying group that has been vocal in their opposition to gay marriage and abortion. In prosecuting Corkins on a charge of local terrorism, lawyers for U.S. Attorney’s office intend to argue that ideological conflict motivated the attack and that influencing civilians by intimidation was a desired outcome.
Corkins is identified as a strong advocate for LGBT rights, and was carrying Chick-fil-A sandwiches in his backpack when he was arrested. The guard, Leonardo Johnson, was hit in the arm but managed to help subdue Corkins before anyone else was hurt.
