Local
Shooting suspect hit with new indictment for ‘terrorism’
Corkins accused in attack at Family Research Council HQ
A gunman shot a security guard inside the Family Research Council’s headquarters building in August. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A federal grand jury on Wednesday issued a new indictment against Floyd Lee Corkins II, the Herndon, Va., man charged in August with shooting a security guard in the lobby of the Family Research Council’s headquarters in Washington.
The indictment charges Corkins with several new offenses, including a D.C. charge of committing an act of terrorism, marking the first time anyone has been charged under the District of Columbia Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Known as a “superseding indictment,” the new action incorporates the three previously filed charges against Corkins and adds seven D.C. offenses, the U.S. Attorney’s office says in a statement.
The new charges include one count each of committing an act of terrorism while armed, attempted murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, second-degree burglary while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Corkins, 28, who worked briefly as a volunteer at D.C.’s LGBT Community Center last year, has been held in custody since his arrest by D.C. police and FBI agents on Aug. 15.
A government arrest affidavit says Corkins entered the Family Research Council’s office at 801 G St., N.W., about 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 15 of this year and exchanged words with an unarmed security guard. The affidavit says Corkins pulled out a handgun from his backpack, pointed it at the guard and fired a shot, hitting the guard in the arm.
The guard, who has been hailed by D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray as a hero, wrestled the gun away from Corkins and subdued him despite having been shot. The affidavit and law enforcement officials said Corkins told the guard seconds before firing his gun that he disagreed with the positions of the Family Research Council, which is widely known as a conservative, religious oriented organization that opposes LGBT rights and is a strong opponent of same-sex marriage.
LGBT organizations immediately issued statements condemning Corkins’ action and expressing solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery for the security guard.
Corkins was scheduled to appear on Friday, Oct. 26, for a status hearing at U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The hearing was scheduled before the new charges were filed.
In its statement announcing the new indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s office says D.C. anti-terrorism law defines an act of terrorism as “an act or actions committed with the intent to ‘intimidate or coerce a significant portion of the civilian population of the District of Columbia or the United States.” The charge carries a possible sentence of 30 years in prison, the statement says.
In August, Corkins pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges against him, which include the federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition and the D.C. charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
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Congratulations to Yadiel Meléndez, on their new role as Community Associate, with the Wanda Alston Foundation. Meléndez is piloting a new role as a Community Associate at the Wanda Alston Foundation, where they support queer and trans young people in finding their footing, building independence, and experiencing a housing community where they are seen, valued, and affirmed. They are coming into this role with more than a decade of experience as a community organizer and operations specialist, supporting diverse communities through service, advocacy, and program coordination.
Previously they worked for Right Proper Brewing Shaw as a server and bartender and at Sephora, Washington, DC, and at FreshFarm, DC, in bilingual food access. They also worked freelance to build foundational structures for local queer BIPOC performance art coalitions, producing variety shows to curate space for marginalized performance artists in the community. They were a production manager for Haus of Hart Productions, a BIPOC centric performance art production. They also worked as field staff with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Stafford, Va.
Meléndez is bilingual, Spanish and English. Their work is guided by a commitment to dignity, safety, and trauma-informed engagement, particularly within LGBTQ and BIPOC communities.
Congratulations also to Ben Rosen LICSW, on his new role as program director, with the Wanda Alston Foundation. Rosen previously worked with Fountain House’s OnRamps program, helping to build a new, innovative outreach program for individuals considered chronically homeless, and living with serious mental illness, in the Times Square area of New York. Rosen is a Psychotherapist, having worked with SG Psychotherapy, and as the psychotherapist with the Nest Community Health Center (URAM).
Rosen has a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre, Minor in Psychology (Cum Laude) from Malloy University Conservatory; and his M.S.W. in Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups, from The Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, N.Y. He is independently licensed in New York and Washington, D.C.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
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BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
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