WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) – An ex-volunteer at a gay
community center pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of
shooting a guard at a conservative Washington lobbying group and
was declared fit to stand trial.
The suspect, Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of Herndon, Virginia,
pleaded not guilty to three charges stemming from the Aug. 15
shooting at the Family Research Council, which strongly opposes
abortion and same-sex marriage.
At the arraignment hearing in U.S. District Court,
Magistrate Judge Alan Kay ordered Corkins to remain held without
bond. He said a mental evaluation had found him competent to be
tried.
Corkins, who had worked as a volunteer at a Washington gay
and lesbian center, appeared in court dressed in an orange
prison jumpsuit and spoke only to identify himself.
Authorities allege that Corkins walked into the Family
Research Council and told the unarmed security guard: “I don’t
like your politics.”
He then pulled a handgun from a backpack and shot the guard
in the arm. The guard wrestled the weapon from Corkins and
subdued him, according to court documents.
Authorities said Corkins was carrying Chick-fil-A sandwiches
at the time of the shooting. The fast-food chain’s president has
publicly opposed gay marriage.
A grand jury has indicted Corkins on charges of interstate
transportation of a firearm and ammunition, assault with intent
to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime
of violence.
(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Vicki Allen)
