Edgar Maddison Welch, the man known for firing shots in a Washington, D.C., pizza restaurant in 2016 as part of the debunked “pizzagate” conspiracy theory, has died after being shot by police during a traffic stop in North Carolina. Welch, who had traveled from North Carolina to Comet Ping Pong restaurant in D.C. based on the false theory that the restaurant was home to a child sex-trafficking ring involving Democratic politicians, surrendered to police after finding no evidence to support the claim. He was sentenced to four years in prison for weapons charges. Welch was shot by police during a traffic stop when he allegedly pulled a handgun and pointed it at an officer while being arrested for violating probation. The officers fired their weapons, striking Welch. The incident left psychological damage and resulted in Welch’s death on Monday. The case highlights the dangers of conspiracy theories and the potential for violence when individuals act on baseless information. Police Chief Terry L. Spry of Kannapolis, North Carolina, confirmed Welch’s death and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Welch’s actions and subsequent death serve as a cautionary tale about the impact of misinformation and the consequences of acting on false beliefs.
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