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Police are trying to identify a man who was caught in surveillance images around the time a fire was allegedly set at Comet Ping Pong Pizza in the District.

On Friday, officials said a minor fire at the D.C. pizzeria that has been a popular target for conspiracy theorists was intentionally set.

The fire was reported on Wednesday around 9:20 p.m. Investigators say curtains and window coverings inside the restaurant caught fire.

They say employees had extinguished the fire before crews arrived.

In 2016, a conspiracy theory alleging that multiple liberal politicians were running a trafficking ring out of the pizzeria prompted a North Carolina man enter the restaurant fire off an AR-15 multiple times.

Police charged Edgar Maddison Welch of Salisbury, NC with assault with a dangerous weapon.


In connection with this last week's fire, police are looking for a suspect who is a white male, between 25 and 30 years old, with blonde hair, a mustache, and a beard.

At the time of the incident, the man was wearing a blue/white varsity style jack and blue jeans.

If you recognize the man, or if you can help the investigation, call (202) 904-6511.

