Basic Information
| Full Name | Edgar Maddison Welch |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1988-04-29 |
| Death Date | 2025-01-04 |
| Occupations | Actor, warehouse worker |
| Notable For | 2016 Pizzagate shooting at Comet Ping Pong |
| Parents | Harry Welch Jr., Terri Welch |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Cause Of Death | Shot by police during traffic stop after pointing a gun |
Biography and Background
Edgar Maddison Welch was born on April 29, 1988, in North Carolina and died on January 4, 2025, in Kannapolis at age 36. He appeared in minor film roles in A Tale About Bootlegging (2005) and The Mill (2008) before working as a warehouse associate. In March 2017, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson sentenced him to four years for assault with a dangerous weapon and interstate firearm transportation; he completed his term in March 2020.
The Pizzagate Incident
On December 4, 2016, Welch drove 350 miles from Salisbury, NC, to Comet Ping Pong in Washington, D.C., armed with an AR‑15 rifle and revolver. He fired three shots into a locked door and a computer, then surrendered after finding no evidence of the alleged child‑trafficking ring, highlighting the real‑world dangers of online misinformation.
Family Background
| Relation | Name | Occupation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Harry Welch Jr. | Unknown | Ran a no‑kill dog rescue and foster program |
| Mother | Terri Welch | Registered nurse, volunteer firefighter | Joined firefighting after family tragedy |
| Children | Two daughters | Private (minors) | Names and ages remain undisclosed |
Harry and Terri Welch maintained a community focus through foster care and animal rescue after losing their older son in a car accident in 1996. Edgar described his daughters as his “greatest motivation” during his 2017 sentencing.
Careers and Financial Overview
- Edgar’s Income Sources: Minor film roles, warehouse employment; legal costs and incarceration likely depleted any savings.
- Parental Roles: Terri received a nursing salary and volunteered as a firefighter; Harry’s income details remain private.
- Net Worth: No public data exists for Welch or his immediate family; all members led modest, community‑oriented lives.
Recent Developments
On January 4, 2025, Kannapolis police stopped a vehicle carrying Welch, recognized his outstanding probation warrant, and shot him when he pointed a handgun; he died two days later at a Charlotte hospital. His family has not issued public statements since the 2016 incident or his death, preserving their privacy amid ongoing media interest.
FAQ
Who was Edgar Maddison Welch?
He was a North Carolina man born in 1988, known for the 2016 Pizzagate shooting and minor acting roles, who died in a 2025 police confrontation.
What motivated the Pizzagate incident?
He acted on a false child‑trafficking conspiracy theory to “protect children” but found no evidence upon arrival.
How did Welch’s legal process conclude?
He pleaded guilty in March 2017, served until March 2020, then violated probation and faced a fatal encounter in 2025.
Who are Edgar’s immediate family members?
His parents, Harry and Terri Welch, focused on community service, and he had two daughters whose identities remain private.
Is there any confirmation of a spouse?
No public records or reports confirm that Welch ever married.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2625901/ | Edgar Maddison Welch had minor acting roles in films such as The Mill (2008) and A Tale About Bootlegging (2005) |
| https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/pizzagate-shooter-killed-police.html | Edgar Maddison Welch was killed by police in January 2025 during a traffic stop after pointing a handgun at officers |
| https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/i-am-sure-he-is-sorry-for-any-heartaches-he-has-caused-mother-of-alleged-pizzagate-gunman-says/2016/12/12/ac6f9068-c083-11e6-afd9-f038f753dc29_story.html | Welch’s mother, Terri Welch, expressed shock and stated, ‘I am sure he is sorry for any heartaches he has caused’ following the 2016 incident |
| https://abcnews.go.com/US/pizzagate-gunman-recorded-goodbye-video-message-family/story?id=48235100 | In a goodbye video recorded before the 2016 Comet Ping Pong incident, Welch addressed his daughters, saying, ‘Girls, I love you all more than anything in this world’ |
| https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/the-pizzagate-gunman-is-out-of-prison-conspiracy-theories-are-out-of-control/ | Welch was released from prison in March 2020 after serving four years for the Pizzagate shooting, highlighting the growing influence of conspiracy theories |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzagate_conspiracy_theory | The Pizzagate conspiracy theory falsely alleged a child sex‑trafficking ring operating out of Comet Ping Pong in 2016 |
| https://www.npr.org/2025/01/10/g-s1-42040/pizzagate-gunman-killed-police-north-carolina | NPR reports that Welch pointed a gun at officers during a 2025 traffic stop in Kannapolis, North Carolina, and was subsequently fatally shot |
