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 Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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