Man Suspected Of Killing Pro-Trump Activist Had Gun In Pocket When He Was Shot Dead: Officials

A man who was shot dead by members of a federal task force in September had a gun in his pocket when the officers fired at him, authorities said Wednesday. The officers were trying to arrest him for allegedly killing a pro-Trump activist in Portland.

Michael Reinoehl, 48, a self-proclaimed Antifa activist, was killed on Sept. 3 outside a Washington apartment complex. Reinoehl was a suspect in the fatal shooting of Aaron "Jay" Danielson, who was killed on Aug. 29 during a clash between pro-Trump supporters and protesters demonstrating against police brutality in Portland.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Department, in a news release Wednesday, said investigators found a loaded .380-caliber handgun in Reinoehl's pant's pocket and that he "continued to reach around his waistband and was attempting to manipulate" the firearm as officers continued to shoot him. He fell to the ground, with his hand still on the gun, which was partially withdrawn from his pocket, according to the statement.

Officers recovered a shell casing from a .380-caliber handgun from the backseat of Reinoehl's car. Authorities are awaiting forensic results to determine whether the gun was the same one that was used to shoot Danielson.

The latest details come after questions were being raised about the conduct of the officers. In a report, the New York Times said at least 22 witnesses told the newspaper that police failed to identify themselves or yell out any warning before opening fire at Reinoehl.

"Officers shot multiple rapid-fire rounds at Reinoehl before issuing a brief ‘stop’ command, quickly followed by more rapid-fire shooting by additional officers," witness Nathaniel Dingess told the Oregonian in September.

Thurston County Sheriff's Lieutenant Ray Brady, in a news conference Tuesday, refuted the claims made by civilians saying four members from the federal task force gave Reinoehl "commands to stop and show his hands" before shooting him, according to ABC News. Brady added that there was no evidence that Reinoehl fired the weapon at the officers.

At a campaign rally in Nevada on Sept. 12, President Donald Trump had praised the task force for killing Reinoehl. "By the way, the U.S. Marshals did a great job in Portland. You know what I mean," he said at the time.