A man connected to the infamous ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop near Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident, which occurred late Thursday evening, marks a dramatic conclusion to a series of events tied to the man’s controversial past.
What Happened?
According to law enforcement, officers attempted to pull over a vehicle on the outskirts of Charlotte after identifying it as being driven by Edgar Maddison Welch, a man previously convicted for storming a Washington, D.C., pizzeria with a firearm in 2016. Welch believed the restaurant was the center of a child-trafficking ring, a conspiracy theory that has since been debunked.
During the traffic stop, authorities allege that Welch exited the vehicle armed and refused repeated commands to drop his weapon. The confrontation escalated, leading officers to fire in self-defense. Welch was pronounced dead at the scene.
History of the ‘Pizzagate’ Gunman
Welch gained national attention in December 2016 when he entered the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria with an assault rifle, claiming he was there to “investigate” an online conspiracy theory. No evidence of wrongdoing was found, and Welch was later sentenced to prison for the incident. He served several years before being released under supervision.
Authorities are now investigating what led to this latest altercation and whether Welch had any ongoing plans connected to his prior actions.
Community and Police Response
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has launched an internal review to ensure all protocols were followed during the traffic stop. Community members expressed mixed reactions, with some applauding the officers’ swift actions and others calling for further transparency in the investigation.
For ongoing updates, visit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s website.
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