Raider of DC pizza shop pleads not guilty, jailed on assault

WASHINGTON – A man who police said was inspired by false internet rumours to fire an assault weapon inside a Washington pizzeria has pleaded not guilty to charges including assault with a dangerous weapon.

A public defender for 28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch waived her right to argue for his release at a hearing Friday, which means he will remain held without bail.

Authorities say Welch fired multiple shots inside the Comet Ping Pong restaurant on Dec. 4 after driving from his North Carolina home to “self-investigate” a conspiracy theory that Democrats used the restaurant to harbour child sex slaves.

Police say he surrendered after panicked customers and staff fled and he found no such thing. Welch has his next hearing in January.

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