FBI Video: Family Research Council Shooter Admits He Used Southern Poverty Law ‘Hate Map’ to Track Down Target
Image source: YouTube
The Virginia man who pleaded guilty to an act of armed terrorism and assault with intent to kill in last year's shooting attack at the conservative Family Research Council said he got the idea from the liberal-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center's "hate map."
In FBI interrogation footage posted online Wednesday by the Family Research Council, Floyd Corkins II was asked how he found the organization.
"Southern Poverty Law lists, uh, anti-gay groups," Corkins answered. "I found them online -- did a little research, went to the website, stuff like that."
A report earlier this year said Corkins told the FBI he wanted to kill anti-gay individuals and used the law center's website to find targets, but this is the first publicly-released video of the interrogation.
Corkins fired three shots in the Family Research Council lobby, injuring a guard who still managed to subdue him. He was carrying nearly 100 rounds of ammunition as well as 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches, in the news at the time for the company's stance upholding traditional marriage. Corkins later said he wanted to kill as many people as possible, and then smear the sandwiches on the victims' faces.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins had blamed the Southern Poverty Law Center one day after the shooting, saying they gave "license" for the attack by labeling his organization a hate group.
"I believe he was given a license by a group such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, who...labeled us a hate group because we defend the family and we stand for traditional, orthodox Christianity," Perkins said. "It's time for people to realize what the Southern Poverty Law Center is doing with their reckless labeling of organizations who they disagree with."
The law center said in a statement after the shooting that it had seen reports that it was "ideologically motivated."
"We condemn all acts of violence and are following the story closely," the law center said.
Prosecutors have recommended a 45-year prison sentence for Corkins; sentencing is set for April 29.
(h/t Washington Examiner)
