Pizzagate gunman fatally shot by police outside Charlotte in traffic stop
A 29-year-old man who had a history of mental health issues and was fixated on the false conspiracy theory known as “Pizzagate” was fatally shot by police outside Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday during a traffic stop.
The incident occurred around 12:45 am when officers from the Union County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for a routine traffic violation on Highway 601. According to authorities, the driver, whose name was not released, failed to comply with officers’ instructions and instead tried to flee the scene.
A subsequent struggle ensued, during which the man produced a handgun and threatened the officers. Police were forced to use lethal force, and the man was shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident has been deemed justified by local authorities, who cited the man’s aggressive behavior and the danger posed to the officers. However, the fatal shooting has raised questions about the potential link to Pizzagate, a baseless conspiracy theory that emerged during the 2016 presidential election.
The conspiracy theory, which claimed that a child sex ring was operating out of a Washington, D.C. pizzeria, gained traction on social media and among some far-right groups. While it was widely debunked, some individuals have been fixated on the theory, including the shooter, who had been known to promote it on social media.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure. The FBI is also reviewing the incident, as it may have potential implications for national security.