Gunman from 2016 "Pizzagate" Incident Dies After Police Shooting in North Carolina

Edgar Maddison Welch, who gained notoriety for his involvement in the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory attack on a pizza restaurant in Washington DC, has died following a police shooting in North Carolina. The Kannapolis police department reported on Thursday that Welch succumbed to injuries after being shot by police officers who responded to a traffic stop incident on Saturday night, during which he brandished a firearm.

Back in 2016, Welch drove from North Carolina to the Comet Ping Pong restaurant in Washington DC, believing it to be a hub for a fictional child sex-trafficking operation tied to political figures. He entered the establishment with an assault rifle but fortunately, no one was injured during the ordeal; however, authorities found multiple weapons related to the incident.

Welch later admitted to feelings of regret regarding his actions, stating in a New York Times interview that he intended to "do some good" but went about it inappropriately. In the recent incident that led to his death, police stopped Welch's vehicle after recognizing it as being driven by an individual with an outstanding felony probation violation warrant.

During the traffic stop, as officers attempted to arrest the passenger with the arrest warrant, Welch pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the officers. Despite commands to drop the weapon, he did not comply, prompting the officers to fire their weapons in response. Welch was subsequently taken to the hospital but died two days later due to his injuries. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, and the circumstances surrounding the event are under investigation by the state’s bureau of investigation.