Crime & Safety
Accused Comet Ping Pong Shooter Reaches Plea Deal: Report
Edgar Maddison Welch is accused of firing several shots in the pizza restaurant to investigate a bizarre rumor known as "Pizzagate."
WASHINGTON, DC — The man accused of walking into Comet Ping Pong in Northwest D.C. armed with a rifle in an attempt to investigate a bizarre Internet rumor known as "Pizzagate" has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors, according to a report.
The Associated Press reports that lawyers had reached an agreement in principle with 28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch, who is accused of firing multiple shots inside the pizza restaurant on Dec. 4 after traveling from North Carolina to self-investigate the conspiracy theory.
A plea hearing will be held March 24. Details of the plea's terms were not available.
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The Pizzagate is a hoax circulated by Donald Trump supporters that alleges Hillary Clinton and her associates are running a child sex ring in the basement of the pizza joint. The restaurant does not have a basement.
Welch faces charges of interstate transportation of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
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