Kevin Johnson

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — A 28-year-old North Carolina man was ordered held without bond Monday after firing a rifle inside a local pizza restaurant while allegedly claiming to investigate a fictitious online conspiracy linked to the popular eatery.

Edgar Maddison Welch, wearing shackles and a white jumpsuit, made his first appearance in a D.C. Superior Court late Monday, just more than 24 hours after entering the Comet Ping Pong with an AR-15 assault style and opening fire as employees ran for cover.

The bearded suspect, a U.S. marshal posted just behind him, identified himself but said little more during the brief court session where he was formally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and three other related offenses. Magistrate Judge Joseph Beshouri ordered Welch detained at least until a Thursday preliminary hearing.

Welch reportedly told police shortly after his arrest that he "read online that the Comet restaurant was harboring child sex slaves and that he wanted to see for himself if they were there."

Welch "stated he was armed to help rescue them," according to the court documents.

The baseless suggestion that the pizza parlor was a front for a child sex ring operated by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had been part of a fake news campaign circulating online before and after the general election.

The suspect, police said, surrendered "peacefully when he found no evidence that underage children were being harbored in the restaurant,'' court documents stated.

Welch, according to police, initially pointed the rifle in the direction of a restaurant employee who fled and later notified law enforcement.

Man fires rifle in D.C. restaurant at center of fake-news conspiracy theories

Investigators seized two additional firearms believed to be linked to Welch: a .38-caliber handgun and a shotgun. The rifle and handgun were recovered inside the restaurant. Rounds fired from the rifle were found to have struck the restaurant walls, a door and a computer desktop, according to authorities.

The fictitious conspiracy theory has been fanned by some supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. In the shooting's aftermath, the campaign continued with Michael Flynn Jr., the son of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump's pick to be national security adviser, tweeting that the so-called "pizza gate'' fabrication would "remain a story'' until "proven false.''

Brian Fallon, a Clinton campaign spokesman, suggested that Trump "tweet a condemnation of the fake news that inspired a lunatic to terrorize @ cometpingpong instead of obsessing over SNL.'' In recent weeks, Trump has taken to Twitter to blast a continuing Saturday Night Live parody of him, featuring Alec Baldwin.

In addition to the assault with a dangerous weapon offense, Welch faced additional charges of carrying a pistol without a license; unlawful possession of shotgun; and illegal discharge of a firearm.

According to a court review of Welch's criminal history, the suspect was arrested in 2013 in Rowan County, N.C., for driving while impaired.

He was sentenced later that year to 1-year probation and 24 hours of community service.

Listed as separated, Welch lives with his two children in Salisbury, N.C.