New terrorism charge in DC lobbying group attack
Source: CBS News
WASHINGTON — A Virginia man accused of shooting a security guard inside the headquarters of a conservative Christian lobbying group was indicted on a local terrorism charge, marking the first time in a decade that a person has been prosecuted under the statute, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The new charge is for Floyd Lee Corkins II, who was arrested in August and charged with opening fire inside the lobby of the Family Research Council building in downtown Washington.
Authorities said Corkins was carrying a backpack containing ammunition and Chick-fil-A sandwiches when he entered the group's headquarters, saying words to the effect of, "I don't like your politics," before shooting the guard, Leonardo Johnson, in the arm. Johnson managed to help take down the gunman, and no one else was injured. Chick-fil-A was making headlines at the time because of its president's stated opposition to gay marriage.
Corkins had been volunteering at a community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and his parents told the authorities that he felt strongly about gay rights. His target was a lobbying group that staunchly opposes gay marriage and abortion rights. The new charge, brought under a 2002 terrorism statute, indicates prosecutors plan to prove the shooting was ideologically motivated.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57539968/new-terrorism-charge-in-dc-lobbying-group-attack/
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