User:MelanieN/Killing of

Aaron Danielson was an American who was shot and killed during the George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon against police violence and racism in the United States. On August 29, 2020, Danielson participated in a counter-protest called the "Trump 2020 Cruise Rally," a caravan of more than 100 cars and trucks that drove through Portland displaying banners and signs supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and sometimes clashing with protesters. After the caravan was over, Danielson remained in Portland on foot, where he was fatally shot at about 8:45 pm.

Five days later, on September 3, the primary suspect in Danielson's killing, Michael Forest Reinoehl was shot and killed by U.S. Marshals and FBI agents near Lacey, Washington. Reinoehl, who described himself as a proponent of Antifa, had been a regular participant in the Portland protests and described himself as providing security for the protesters. Officers approached Reinoehl as he left an apartment and approached a car. Reinoehl allegedly drew a weapon; it is unclear whether he fired it. Officers fired at Reinoehl, killing him. No officers were injured in the incident.

In the weeks and months prior to Reinoehl's killing, Portland hosted significant protests against police violence and racism in the United States, and confrontations between protesters and supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump. Activists clashing in Portland have used paint balls, bear spray, fireworks and other objects. Portland protests have been a part of American and international protests that followed the May 2020 Killing of George Floyd. On August 29, hundreds of Trump supporters took part in the "Trump 2020 Cruise Rally," a caravan of more than 100 cars and trucks displaying pro-Trump flags and signs, which drove through Portland and in some cases clashed with protesters.

A participant in that caravan, a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, was shot and killed. The victim was identified as Aaron Danielson, initially referred to by his alias "Jay" by Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson. Portland police issued an arrest warrant for Michael Reinoehl, a supporter of Antifa who had regularly attended past protests in Portland and said he had provided "security" for the protests. He had been arrested in July for carrying a handgun, and had been shot in the arm while attempting to wrestle a gun away from a right-wing protestor. Reinoehl was later identified and killed by police in their attempts to apprehend him in Lacey, Washington on September 3. Prior to his death, Reinoehl had admitted to a free-lance journalist that he killed Danielson, claiming he had acted in self defense because he feared he and a friend were about to be stabbed. A document released shortly after he was shot by the police in Lacey, WA indicates Reinoehl hid in a parking garage and followed Danielson.