Updated-DC Shooting Suspect: ‘I Don’t Like Your Politics,’
UPDATE
Updated at 6:10 p.m. ET
(AP) WASHINGTON - A man suspected of shooting and wounding a security guard in the lobby of a Christian lobbying group had been volunteering at a community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
A law enforcement official has identified the suspect arrested in Wednesday’s shooting as Floyd Corkins II of Herndon, Va. Investigators were interviewing his neighbors.
Washington (CNN) — The suspect in the shooting at the Family Research Council walked into the headquarters of the conservative group armed with a 9 mm pistol and shot a security guard, saying “I don’t like your politics,” authorities alleged in a criminal complaint filed Thursday.
The complaint accuses Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of a federal firearms violation and assault with intent to kill.
The council is a Christian group focused on family and anti-abortion issues and religious liberties that recently came out in support of Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy. The executive enraged gay rights advocates when he expressed support for traditional marriage.
Corkins — who was carrying 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches in his backpack along with the pistol and extra ammunition — “has strong opinions with respect to those he believes do not treat homosexuals in a fair manner,” authorities said in the complaint, citing his parents.
There is no cause so desperate as to call for murderous acts. Especially when ground is being gained in this culture debate. Extreme rhetoric breeds & abets violence. We certainly saw some of that against the Chick-Fil-A CEO. Is there a direct connection here? Perhaps. This shooter certainly made a clear declaration.