A man suspected of killing a right-wing activist who was part of a pro-Trump caravan in Portland, Oregon, has been shot and killed by law enforcement agents.
Suspect Michael Forest Reinoehl, 48, was shot by officers in a federally led fugitive task force in Washington State, the U.S. Marshals service reports.
“Initial reports indicate the suspect produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers,” the Marshals Service said in a statement. “Taskforce members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene.”
According to the New York Times, the suspect was exiting an apartment and getting into a vehicle when police tried to apprehend him.
“As they attempted to apprehend him, there was gunfire,” Lieutenant Brady stated, adding that four law enforcement officers fired their weapons.
Portland Police obtained a warrant for murder on Thursday, the same day that Vice News released an interview with Reinoehl, who identified as 100% of an anti-fascist’ in which he seemed to admit to the August 29th shooting, saying he had no choice.
The victim in the initial incident was identified as Aaron J. Danielson, a Trump supporter who came to Portland and clashed with protesters against racial injustice and police brutality.
Meanwhile, Reinoehl was a Portland resident and was an active and persistent participant in the area’s demonstrations over the recent weeks. He helped protesters with security and made claims on social media that the struggle was becoming a war, “there will be casualties.”
During his interview with Vice, he said he acted in self-defense, believing he and a friend were about to be stabbed.
“I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color, but I wasn’t going to do that,” he said.
An hour before he was shot and killed, Reinoehl was working with Tiffanie Wickwire, who was assisting him in setting up a GoFundMe account. “We were talking about his kids and what to do for them if anything happened to him,” Wickwire said, referring to his 17-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.
Reinoehl’s neighbor, who lives next door where the shooting took place, said he was standing outside at around 6:45 pm when he saw two black SUVs racing towards the complex. He then heard about a minute and a half of gunshots. He said he saw a man walking backward next to a white truck with what appeared to be a gun; officers then began firing in his direction.
Trevor Brown, 24, who lives in a townhouse nearby, also heard several shots fired and saw as many as four police officers along the road, who fired three or four times. He said he then saw a man lying on the ground.
Jashon Spencer, who also lives nearby, also heard the gunshots. “I just heard a whole bunch of pops,” Mr. Spencer said. “I ducked. I thought they were shooting in my yard.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When he looked out, he saw a bloodied man lying in the street; he recorded a video showing officers attempting CPR.
Following the incident, several hundred protesters in Portland gathered in front of a police station in a residential neighborhood, chanting racial justice slogans as they have on most nights since May. Beforehand the vibe was calm.
“There’s blood on your hands. You murdered Michael Reinoehl,” someone posted in the street outside a law enforcement building. “Michael was murdered,” said another posting.
Later during the demonstration, police officers charged the crowd and took one protester into custody. Reinoehl’s role included intercepting potential agitators and helping pacify conflicts, protesters reported.
“Nightly, he would break up fights,” said Randal McCorkle, a regular demonstrator, who said he became close friends with Mr. Reinoehl amid the protests.
“He wanted change so badly,” he said. His death, he said, would likely inspire others to continue the movement for police reform. “I was going to say radicalize, but galvanize is a better word,” he said. “Honestly, I’m going to try to step into his shoes.”
