Investigators: Antifa gunman who murdered Trump supporter, likely fired at cops first

On Wednesday, March 31st, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office announced that it has completed its seven-month investigation into the fatal shooting of 48-year-old Michael Forest Reinoehl.

Reinoehl was a self-described antifascist who was wanted for the murder of Aaron “Jay” Danielson. Security footage shows Reinoehl initiating contact with Danielson outside a parking garage during a night of rioting in Portland on August 29, 2020.

Investigators stated that Reinoehl fatally shot Danielson during the encounter.

On September 3rd, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) issued a warrant for his arrest. On the day the warrant was issued, Reinoehl was tracked down by a federally-deputized task force and found at an apartment complex in Lacey.

PPB reportedly requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in locating Reinoehl. Shortly after, the Tacoma-based Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (TCSO), which had been deputized by the Marshals Service tracked him to a home near Lacey.

-In Portland… Gun found on Antifa supporter Michael Reinoehl was the same one used in downtown Portland killing last August, crime lab rules https://t.co/bAxy01IAGD … #Oregon #Portland #Orpol #Orleg #PDX #Portlandpolice pic.twitter.com/5nEBXjdopJ

— Mark Kirchmeier (@MarkKirchmeier) April 3, 2021

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on September 3rd, the USMS Fugitive Apprehension Team spotted Reinoehl exiting an apartment and getting into a vehicle. As the officers attempted to take the armed suspect into custody, Reinoehl pulled a gun on them.

According to investigators reviewing the case, Reinoehl initiated an exchange of gunfire with officers before he was killed. The TCSO confirmed that the task force members were all wearing vests that clearly identified themselves as law enforcement officers when the confrontation occurred.

At the time, the USMS said in a statement to CNN:

“Initial reports indicate that the suspect produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers. Task force members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene.”

While the investigation into the incident is complete, the sheriff’s office has not yet released the full report. On Wednesday, March 31st, investigators released a two-page statement with some of the findings.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the September killing of antifa supporter Michael Reinoehl, determining that Reinoehl initiated the gunfight with federal agents with a single shot, fired while inside his car, from a .380 pistol. pic.twitter.com/DpTMWCcP7Q

— Evan Hill (@evanchill) March 31, 2021

According to those findings, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab matched a .380 casing found in Reinoehl’s vehicle after the police shooting to the .380 pistol in his possession. Lt. Cameron Simper, the investigator managing the case said that Reinoehl was the only person with a .380 caliber weapon on the scene. He said:

“The casing to that was found inside his vehicle in a position that would be consistent with him firing out that window.”

Investigators said that they believe Reinoehl fired his gun at police, then stuffed it into his pocket after he was shot. They were unable to locate the bullet the gunman fired during the shootout. Lt. Simper said in a statement:

“While it is very plausible and it does match up with statements, we were not able to find the actual round from Reinoehl’s pistol to definitively say, ‘absolutely’ that he fired from that car. Based on our investigation, based on the witness statements, the casing in the car and officers’ statements, it is highly likely.”

Police investigators say Michael Forest Reinoehl, a Portland, Oregon, activist wanted for killing another man during ongoing street battles in that city last summer, likely shot at police before he was killed by a fugitive task force last September.https://t.co/2MUjFJZWLQ

— reason (@reason) April 2, 2021

The investigative findings have been sent to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which is working to determine whether it will review the case for possible charges against the task force members or if that responsibility will be passed on to another county.

The law enforcement agencies with the officers who shot Reinoehl have been briefed on the investigation Lt. Simper said:

“There’s two parts to these incidents: you’ve got the criminal aspect of it and you’ve got the internal aspect of it, to make sure policies and procedures were followed.”