Killings of Aaron Danielson and Michael Reinoehl

Aaron Danielson
Born
Aaron Joseph Danielson

(1980-09-04)September 4, 1980
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
DiedAugust 29, 2020(2020-08-29) (aged 39)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wound
OccupationMoving company owner
Known forBeing killed by Michael Reinoehl during 2020 Portland George Floyd protests
Michael Reinoehl
Born
Michael Forest Reinoehl

(1972-05-17)May 17, 1972
DiedSeptember 3, 2020(2020-09-03) (aged 48)
Lacey, Washington, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wound
Known forKilling of Aaron Danielson, and subsequent killing by law enforcement, during 2020 Portland George Floyd protests

On August 29, 2020, Aaron Danielson, an American supporter of the far-right group Patriot Prayer,[1][2] was shot and killed by a far-left activist after participating in a caravan which drove through Portland, Oregon, displaying banners and signs supporting President Donald Trump,[3] and clashing with participants in the local George Floyd protests.[3][4]

On September 3, 2020, Danielson's suspected killer, Michael Reinoehl, an American anti-fascist[3][5] activist[6][7] was shot and killed by a federally led fugitive task force near Lacey, Washington.[8][9] Reinoehl had admitted to killing Danielson in an interview shortly before his death, claiming it was in self-defense,[10] although the police said that Reinoehl had followed and targeted Danielson.[11] Danielson's killing was the first time in over 26 years that a self-identified anti-fascist activist had been charged with homicide.[6][5][12][11] President Donald Trump commended the U.S. Marshals for shooting Reinoehl,[13] describing it as "retribution",[14][15][16] and claiming to have personally "sent in" the U.S. Marshals to "get" Reinoehl during the first presidential debate with Joe Biden.[17]

An investigation by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office concluded that Reinoehl had most likely initiated an exchange of gunfire with officers before he was killed.[18][19] However, some witnesses stated that officers opened fire without warning,[20] and a review by The New York Times also disputed this,[19] concluding that local investigators had discounted key pieces of evidence.[19][21]

  1. ^ McLaughlin, Erin; Kroll, Susan; Li, David (August 31, 2020). "Far-right Patriot Prayer group says fatal shooting victim in Portland was a supporter". NBC News. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  2. ^ Craig, Tim; Mekhenet, Souad (September 1, 2020). "Portland killing renews focus on tactics of far-right group Patriot Prayer". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference bbc_4sep was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Marine, Drew (August 29, 2020). "Hundreds show up for Trump 2020 Cruise Rally in Clackamas County". KPTV. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference VOA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference GuardianCSISOct22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Levinson, Jonathan (September 5, 2020). "Violence Escalates As Portland Nears 100 Consecutive Nights Of Protests". NPR. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt_3sep was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference wsj_4sep was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference vice_3sept was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference OLappeared was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference OCRegister0907 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt_4sep_2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference rollingstonesep13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference tpmsep13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference currentaffairs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ "Trump, Biden trade jabs about Portland, antifa, Proud Boys in first presidential debate". kgw.com. September 29, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  18. ^ Wilson, Conrad (March 1, 2021). "Investigators complete review of federal police shooting that killed wanted Portland activist". opb. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c Baker, Mike; Hill, Evan (April 10, 2021). "Police Say an Antifa Activist Likely Shot at Officers. His Gun Suggests Otherwise". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference nytoct13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Wilson, Haas, Brynelson. "Police radio problems led to chaotic scene when officers killed Portland activist". OPB. Retrieved April 8, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)