KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Edgar Maddison Welch, the man infamously known for the 2016 “Pizzagate” shooting inside a Washington D.C. pizzeria, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Kannapolis, police reported. The incident occurred on a Saturday evening when officers identified a gray 2001 GMC Yukon and recognized Welch, 36, as a passenger with an outstanding felony probation warrant.
During the attempt to arrest him, Welch pulled a handgun from his jacket and aimed it at an officer, prompting the police to respond with gunfire. Welch died from his injuries at a local hospital two days later, according to Kannapolis Police Chief Terry L. Spry. No other injuries were reported in the confrontation.
The tragic end of Welch stems from a notorious event nearly seven years prior, when he stormed a Washington D.C. restaurant, Comet Ping Pong, armed with an AR-15 rifle. Welch’s attack on the establishment was fueled by a baseless conspiracy theory suggesting a child sex trafficking ring linked to high-profile Democrats was being operated out of the pizzeria.
On December 4, 2016, amid panic and fear, Welch discharged his weapon inside Comet Ping Pong but did not hit anyone. After firing at a locked closet — which he erroneously believed concealed victims of the purported ring — Welch surrendered to police upon realizing there were no trapped children.
The “Pizzagate” conspiracy, which gained traction during the 2016 presidential election, was sparked by misinterpretations of leaked emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, leading some to mistakenly believe that references to “cheese pizza” were coded language for child exploitation activities. This claim, however, was entirely unfounded.
In 2017, Welch was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to transporting firearms across state lines and assault with a dangerous weapon. During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Kentanji B. Jackson emphasized the “recklessness” of Welch’s actions, critiquing him for proceeding with his plan despite multiple advisories against it.
Throughout his trial, Welch expressed remorse, acknowledging his actions could not undo the harm caused. He was released from prison in 2021, having served his sentence. Welch’s attack not only brought unwarranted scrutiny and distress to Comet Ping Pong but also stoked widespread fears and brought significant disruption to the community involved.
James Alefantis, the owner of Comet Ping Pong, during the sentencing, condemned the “vicious web of lies” that led to the assault on his restaurant. Alefantis highlighted the extensive suffering endured by his staff due to the propagation of the baseless claims.
The narrative of the “Pizzagate” incident outlines a vivid example of the dangerous influence of conspiracy theories when taken to extremes. It underscores the potential real-world consequences of misinformation, especially when amplified across digital platforms.
This incident remains a stark reminder of the critical need for discernment and verification of information in an era where falsehoods can all too readily be mistaken for truth. The tragic outcomes in Welch’s case serve as a somber testament to the destructive power of viral conspiracy theories left unchecked.