Man to face federal charges in pizzeria shooting

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

A man inspired by an internet conspiracy theory to fire an assault weapon inside a pizza restaurant warned friends that his “raid” could involve killing people, according to court documents made public Tuesday.

Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, of Salisbury, N.C., has been in jail since the Dec. 4 shooting at Comet Ping Pong, which has been targeted by purveyors and consumers of fake news who spread false rumors that it’s the site of a child-sex trafficking ring run by prominent Democrats.

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that Welch faces a federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm with intent to commit a crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and potential financial penalties.

Local charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and other weapons offenses were dismissed Tuesday, though they could be added to the federal case. Welch appeared in local and federal court Tuesday answering just a few brief questions, including his name and his ability to pay a lawyer. He was appointed a federal public defender, and a hearing in federal court was scheduled for Friday.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia declined to comment on the potential for additional charges.

Welch told police “he had read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves and that he wanted to see for himself if they were there,” and that “he was armed to help rescue them,” according to previously released court documents.

A federal court document made public Tuesday says evidence obtained from Welch’s cellphone shows he “had been contemplating a violent confrontation at the restaurant since at least” Dec. 1.