A man who attempted a mass shooting at the Family Research Council in 2012 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday, according to ABC News.
Lawyers for Floyd Corkins II, who planned the shooting against the conservative think tank, argued he was mentally ill when he entered the building and shot at a security guard, who sustained injuries but lived. Prosecutors asked that Corkins was given a 45-year sentence.
The judge issued a 25-year sentence, in between the requests of both legal teams.
Corkins entered the Family Research Council's D.C. headquarters on Aug. 15, 2012 with a gun and 15 bags of Chick-fil-A food, planning to smear it in victims faces as a message to those who don't support gay marriage. The research group views homosexuality as harmful and holds many socially conservative views as well.
At the time of his failed shooting plot, the fast food chain was making headlines after the owner, S. Truett Cathy, said his company supported anti-gay marriage causes.
You can see security camera footage of the shooting attempt here.
Before receiving his sentence, Corkins expressed remorse.
"I realize resorting to violence to achieve political ends is never OK," he said.
The wounded security guard, Leo Johnson, attended Corkins' sentencing.
"Leo took a bullet for me. He took a bullet for the staff," said Paul Tripodi, vice president of administration at the conservative group.
After Corkins took out his gun and shot at Johnson, the security guard and former high school football player charged at the gunman and tackled him until he got a hold of the weapon.
"I knew I needed to get the gun. If I didn't, he was going to kill me," Johnson said. "He didn't come here to talk."
