The man responsible for the notorious 2016 ‘Pizzagate’ incident, Edgar Maddison Welch, was shot and killed by police in a confrontational standoff on January 9, 2025. According to reports, officers were responding to reports of a man with a weapon in a Washington, D.C. neighborhood when Welch allegedly brandished a firearm. ‘He was a threat to himself and others,’ a police spokesperson stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Welch’s actions were tied to a conspiracy theory that falsely implicated several public figures and a Washington pizzeria in a child trafficking ring. In previous legal proceedings, Welch had been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the incident, which included breaking into the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria where he fired shots in December 2016. Welch’s release from prison just two months prior raised concerns among community members who had witnessed the implications of his actions firsthand. Local leaders had been advocating for increased mental health resources following the incident. ‘This is a wake-up call for all of us about the ongoing consequences of disinformation and violence,’ said local council member and mental health advocate Mary Scott. Welch’s death raises further questions about gun violence in America and the continuing impact of conspiracy theories on public safety. Following the shooting, protests erupted in the D.C. area as advocates called for stricter gun control measures. A vigil is planned to honor those affected by the Pizzagate conspiracy and its aftermath.
Pizzagate Gunman Killed in Police Shooting Amidst Ongoing Legal Battles
