Actually, no one witnessed him shooting a gun. According to the original D.C. police report, no witness claimed to have heard gunfire. In a later FBI Criminal Complaint, the employee that came in the back door and saw Welch standing there with his gun (and then turned around and ran back out) had reportedly heard three "bangs" BEFORE entering, but didn't recognize them as gunshots and entered the building. "Welch said that he fired shots at the lock using his AR15" according to the FBI Criminal Complaint. Welch was NOT charged with firing a gun. He was charged with assault, regarding the fact that he turned towards the employee entering through the back door while holding the gun (didn't point it at him). He was also charged with interstate transportation of a firearm and other gun possession related charges. According to the FBI report, Welch waived his right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present, and told the police his "pizzagate" investigation story. Seeing the original D.C. police report is key. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/edgardfed.pdf

NOT CHARGED WITH FIRING A GUN: "Welch pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition, and a District of Columbia charge of assault with a dangerous weapon." https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/north-carolina-man-pleads-guilty-charges-armed-assault-northwest-washington-pizza