Fake Conspiracy Theory Inspires Real Person to Bring Real Gun Into a Pizza Place

The real dangers of fake news.

The Pizzagate conspiracy theory degenerated yesterday with a literal bang, demonstrating that the dangers of fake news extend beyond readers taking in the phony copy as fact to those that then act on the fiction.

This is what led a North Carolina man, Edgar Maddison, to “self-investigate,” AR-15 assault-style rifle in tow, a Washington pizza place that had been at the center of a hallucinatory conspiracy theory that featured Comet Ping Pong as the nexus of a child abuse ring.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in