Watch CBS News

Accused Shooter At Conservative Lobbying Group Volunteered At LGBT Center

WASHINGTON D.C. (WJZ)-- Political opinion is likely part of the motive behind a shooting inside the office of a high-profile conservative lobbying group in Washington. WJZ uncovers more about the man who allegedly pulled the trigger at the Family Research Council's (FRC) headquarters and wounded a security guard.

Jessica Kartalija has the story.

Floyd Lee Corkins, dressed in a white prison suit, stood before a federal judge who ordered him held without bond.

In court papers, WJZ learned that FBI agents interviewed Corkins' parents at their Herndon home. They told agents their son has "strong opinions with respect to those he believes do not treat homosexuals in a fair manner."

People who live in the Corkins' quiet neighborhood said the family was friendly but they rarely saw Floyd Corkins.

"Very nice, very quiet," said one neighbor of the Corkins'.

"Pretty much stayed to themselves. When they moved in and they introduced himself, that was a couple of years ago. Kind of waved and that was about it," neighbor Greg Heckber said.

Corkins reportedly attended George Mason University and volunteered at The DC Center for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community on U Street.

Felicia Lynch stopped by the center to find it closed for the day. She said she goes there frequently but had never met Corkins and was shocked to hear what happened.

"I don't think I've heard of that kind of violence occurring in support of LBGT things," she said.

The center's director, David Mariner, issued this statement: "I was shocked to hear that someone who has volunteered with the DC Center could be the cause of such a tragic act of violence. No matter the circumstances, we condemn such violence in the strongest terms possible."

Leo Johnson, the security guard who was shot, is expected to fully recover from his injuries.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.