Edgar Maddison Welch, the man who infamously fired a gun inside a Washington, D.C., pizzeria in 2016 after being motivated by the debunked “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory, was fatally shot by North Carolina police during a traffic stop.
Confrontation during traffic stop
The incident occurred Saturday night in Kannapolis, North Carolina, when officers stopped a vehicle in which Welch was a passenger. According to a statement from the Kannapolis Police Department, an officer recognized Welch as someone with an outstanding warrant for a felony probation violation.
When officers attempted to arrest Welch, he allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at one of them. After being instructed to drop the weapon and refusing to comply, two officers shot Welch.
Emergency responders transported Welch to the hospital, where he died two days later. No injuries were reported among the officers or other vehicle occupants.
Connection to the ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy
Welch became widely known in 2016 when he drove from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., armed with an assault rifle, after believing a baseless conspiracy theory known as “Pizzagate.” The theory falsely claimed that prominent Democrats were operating a child sex trafficking ring out of Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in the nation’s capital.
Upon entering the restaurant, Welch fired at a locked closet but found no evidence to support the conspiracy. He peacefully surrendered to law enforcement, and no one was injured.
Legal consequences
In 2017, Welch pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to four years in prison by then-U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who now serves on the Supreme Court.
The conspiracy and Welch’s actions left lasting trauma for Comet Ping Pong’s owner, James Alefantis, and his staff.
Investigation underway
The shooting involving Welch is under review by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.
Annette Privette Keller, communications director for the City of Kannapolis, confirmed Welch’s identity as the same individual involved in the 2016 “Pizzagate” incident.
This tragic end underscores the enduring impact of misinformation and conspiracy theories, which continue to pose risks to individuals and communities alike.
