WASHINGTON D.C. – A North Carolina man today confessed to a brazen armed assault at the Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant in Northwest Washington D.C. Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, of Salisbury, N.C., pled guilty to both federal and District of Columbia charges stemming from the December 4, 2016 incident. Welch terrorized employees and patrons, marching into the establishment armed with a loaded AR-15 assault rifle and a revolver, and ultimately firing his weapon into a door.
The guilty plea, announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Andrew Vale, and Acting MPD Chief Peter Newsham, details a calculated act fueled by online conspiracy theories. Welch transported three loaded firearms – the 9mm AR-15 with approximately 29 rounds, a .38-caliber revolver, and a shotgun – from North Carolina with the intent to confront what he believed was a child sex-trafficking ring operating at the restaurant. Evidence presented by the government demonstrates Welch’s motivation was, at least in part, based on these demonstrably false rumors.
According to court documents, Welch entered Comet Ping Pong around 3 p.m., openly brandishing the AR-15 with one hand on the pistol grip. The sight sent customers and employees scrambling for safety, including children present in the restaurant. Welch then attempted to breach a locked room, first with a butter knife and then by unleashing multiple rounds from his assault rifle into the door. Moments later, an unsuspecting employee carrying pizza dough entered the restaurant and was immediately confronted by Welch, who raised the AR-15, causing the worker to flee in terror.
Welch remained inside the restaurant for over 20 minutes before abandoning his weapons and exiting unarmed. He was quickly apprehended. The AR-15 and revolver were recovered at the scene, along with a shotgun and ammunition found in his vehicle. While no one was physically injured, the psychological impact on those present was significant. Welch has been held in custody since his arrest.
Welch pled guilty to a federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. He also admitted to a District of Columbia charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, which carries a similar maximum sentence. However, a sentencing agreement suggests a likely range of 18 to 24 months for the federal charge and 18 to 60 months for the DC charge. The Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson has scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Phillips, Assistant Director Vale, and Acting Chief Newsham praised the swift response and thorough investigation by law enforcement. They also acknowledged the contributions of Victim/Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant, Paralegal Specialist Chela Okonji, and Asset Forfeiture Chief Arvind K. Lal, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Demian S. Ahn and Sonali D. Patel, who prosecuted the case. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of online disinformation and the danger posed by individuals acting on false narratives.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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