Suspect charged in Family Research Council shooting

Washington D.C., Aug 16, 2012 / 11:20 am

A man suspected of shooting a security guard at the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington, D.C. is expected to have his first court appearance on the afternoon of Aug.16.

Tony Perkins, president of the pro-faith and family organization, said that authorities "are investigating this incident."

The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Floyd Lee Corkins II of Herndon, Va., has been charged with assault with intent to kill as well as federal firearms charges.

Corkins allegedly entered the lobby of the Family Research Council's headquarters – which is located in the Chinatown area of Washington, D.C. – shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Aug. 15.

According to an FBI affidavit, the suspect made a statement to the effect of "I don't like your politics" before opening fire.

The gunman shot security guard Leo Johnson before being wrestled to the ground and disarmed. Johnson was transported to a hospital and is reported to be conscious and in stable condition.

"Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today," said Perkins in a statement shortly after the incident.

Authorities praised Johnson's heroism and said that his actions may have prevented a tragic mass shooting.

"The security guard here is a hero, as far as I'm concerned," D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier told reporters. "He did his job. The person never made it past the front."

The shooting was condemned by both pro-family and gay advocacy organizations, along with White House spokesman Jay Carney and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

According to Fox News, authorities are investigating the attack as "a case of domestic terrorism," but have not yet determined a motive.

Corkins, who was taken into custody for questioning by the FBI, had been volunteering at the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community for several months, according to the center's director.

Gay advocates had labeled the Family Research Council a "hate group" for its views on marriage. Perkins had recently spoken out in defense of Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy, who made national headlines by saying that he supported a traditional, Biblical view of marriage.

Reports indicate that the gunman was carrying a 9mm handgun, 50 rounds of ammunition and 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches when he entered the building.

After his gun was wrestled away from him by the security guard and others, the man said, "Don't shoot me, it was not about you, it was what this place stands for," sources told Fox News.

The FBI affidavit also said that the suspect's parents told them that he has "strong opinions" about those whom he believes "do not treat homosexuals in a fair manner."