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Update on Portland Antifa Shooting
There is new information available about the August 30 killing of Patriot Prayer and Trump supporter Aaron Danielson by Antifa member Michael Reinoehl. As previously reported (here), Reinoehl was killed by federal marshals on September 3, as they attempted to execute an arrest warrant.
The authorities have released the charging documents, which include police affidavits supporting the arrest warrant and search warrant (of his residence). You can read them here.
It is undisputed that Reinoehl shot and killed Danielson. Reinoehl claims that he acted in self-defense, and the Danielson was armed with mace and a knife. My prior impression was that the self-defense claim was weak, and the new report reinforces that impression, though we still do not know whether there was a prior confrontation that might change the context of the event.
Danielson, the victim, was armed — heavily armed. He had a loaded semi-automatic handgun (more details below), but it appears that it remained holstered. He was carrying a can of “Bear Attack Deterrent” in his right hand, and an expandable baton in his left hand. There is no mention of finding a knife.
In an interview before his death (here), Reinoehl claimed that Danielson threatened him with a knife, and that “he [Danielson] would have maced or stabbed me.” This indicates that Reinoehl did not know that Danielson had a gun.
There is a video circulating in which the videographer mentions that “mace” had been discharged (he felt the effect in his eyes, if I remember correctly). The police affidavit does not suggest that Danielson discharged the “Bear Attack Deterrent” that he was carrying. To the contrary, it appears that the can was hit by one of Reinoehl’s shots, as it had damage consistent with a bullet. The video shows a cloud appearing when the shots were fired, and I wouldn’t expect a bear repellent to spray in that way (as it would affect the sprayer as well as the hypothetical bear).
The police affidavit states that an officer removed a holstered Glock 17 from Danielson’s waistband, and that EMTs observed a holstered firearm while treating him. This strongly suggests that Danielson did not draw his gun.
The Model 17 is Glock’s standard-size 9mm pistol. The standard magazine holds 17 rounds, and extended magazines are available. Danielson’s gun had a fully-loaded 19-round magazine, plus a chambered round, for a total of 20. This was the maximum capacity of the gun, with that particular magazine, indicating that it had not been fired. Danielson had three additional fully loaded 9mm magazines in his pockets.
There is video showing Reinoehl accompanied by another male (possibly Hispanic), and a white female, shortly before the shooting. They are not identified. There is a witness report of a confrontation between Danielson, a friend of his (named Chandler Pappas), and three black men, in which one of the black men said “we’re going to [expletive] kill you.” Other witness reports describe a black man saying “hey there’s the guy.”
One other interesting detail. In typical fashion, some media outlets have described the murderous Antifa terrorist Reinoehl as a “father.” Here’s the rest of the story.
On July 5, Portland police charged Reinoehl with having a loaded firearm in public, resisting arrest, and interfering with a public safety officer. They confiscated a Walther 9mm semi-auto handgun from him. After Reinoehl shot Danielson, another officer tracked down Reinoehl’s son, Devin, and seized his phone (reportedly with consent). One of the texts on August 7, from a contact labeled “Dad,” stated:
Sell me the gun for a quarter pound of weed and $100 i’m getting tired of this [expletive] I need a piece now
What a lovely family. Sweet, loving daddy Reinoehl wants to buy a gun from his innocent little boy, for a hundred bucks and some weed.
I actually don’t object to the buying the gun part — it is perfectly reasonable to buy a gun from a family member, and there’s no evidence that Reinoehl was not permitted to possess a gun. The weed part kinda spoils the whole family-man thing for me.
My final takeaway is to be careful out there. Having heavily armed Antifa/BLM protestors/rioters, and heavily armed pro-Trump counter-protesters, is inherently dangerous. It’s a free country, and people have a right to bear arms, but there is a downside to our approach.
Danielson was seriously ready for trouble. Even on the rare occasions when I carry, I do not chamber a round. Even if I did, I’d be very unlikely to then eject the magazine and insert an additional round. The Glock 17 does not have a separate safety. (It has a safety on the trigger, which prevents accidental discharge if the gun is dropped, but there is no separate safety button or lever.)
It would have taken Danielson probably a second, at most, to draw and unload 20 rounds of 9mm. And he had three more magazines in his cargo pockets.
But it didn’t save him.
BLM delenda est. Antifa delenda est.
Published in Policing
The real question to me is, why didn’t the Portland police arrest Reinoehl?
Avoid all these morons. After 100 days of stupidity there is a possibility that the last three days indicates that this will become a gang fight between Antifa, and the Proud Boys. Both groups have no control over their members. They both lack any discipline. Neither group applies for permits, both groups are armed with impact weapons, and some possess firearms. I can assure you they are quite capable of hitting their targets, as well as bystanders.
Stay home for your own personal safety.
The more the Proud Boys become involved, the more fuel for the media narrative that this chaos comes equally from the right and left–or even more from the right. I wish they’d go away.
They did arrest him, and he was released by DA’s office without having to post bail. The police have no control of any decision made by the DA’s office to release someone.
Wow – and this after a fatal shooting with plenty of evidence to at least hold him.
Patriot Prayer, Proud Boys, Antifa are all basically street gangs. They all claim the virtuous high ground. Antifa is treated by the media, city government, and state government as the good guys. They follow each other on social media. They are all idiots, and the streets of Portland has become nothing more than a glorified bar fight.
He was released on an incident that occurred before the fatal shooting. He didn’t get his gun back, therefore his offer to buy a gun from his son.
I am not willing to accept mainstream media reporting as factual representations of these groups.
So if you have more to offer than smears, go ahead and offer it.
Their actions define them.
Mr. Reihnoel was arrested in Baker County on a concealed weapons charge, as well as other charges. No CHL. He was arrested a second time on a weapons charge in a Portland after the Baker County arrest. That’s two gun charges. He may be able to buy a gun from a family member, but he may not possess a handgun until he’s found innocent on the first two charges. His son may find himself in some trouble for providing him with another handgun.
Haven’t heard much background on this Reinoehl character other than his two arrests on gun charges. Do any of these people have productive employment backgrounds? I also don’t see what those like Danielson think they are accomplishing other than putting themselves and others in potentially dangerous situations.
Saw today a report that a national Antifa group, whatever that is, is calling for national protests in 23 cities. I don’t know but it looks as if Congressman Nadler’s myth is having a growth spurt.
Trying to be an alternative? Show that the left isn’t unopposed? Show that there are other views existent in this country besides the left’s? Demonstrate for the government that rolling over for one group ignores the desires of another? That there exist oppositional views that are not marginalized?
Do we know if he was a resident of Portland or Oregon? I heard a memorial service being held in Washington.
That is really hard to do when Antifa and the local government are aligned, a recipe for trouble rather than convincing anyone.
Jerry, I plan to brazenly plagiarize this as it is just so perfect for this time! and, thank you for this update– we have had such nice times in Portland, seems like not too many years ago. In the middle of some of the best vineyards in the Country, especially if you love Pinot Noir as we do, and great restaurants and the Columbia Gorge is one of the most beautiful sights we have ever seen. And now it has been soiled by anarchy. Thanks again, Jim
The big problem is that city, county, and state government is a bit confused in Oregon. Not all Dems see Antifa as the paramilitary wing of the Democrat Party. Right now it’s difficult sort those Dems out from each other.
My suggestion would be that everyone arrested be checked for outstanding warrants before they are released. Limit bail hearings to Monday. There is no night court in Multnomah County, so if someone is arrested on Tuesday they are off the streets until Monday.
Oregon does not allow bail bonds businesses. When someone comes in to pay a rioters bail run a criminal background check on them. If they belong to an organization providing bail for rioters enter their ID in a database. Keep track of them, and provide the info to the Feds. Needless to say cash only for bail, no checks.
Run out of room in jail ask the Feds to house them in the Sheridan Federal Prison, bring them back to Portland for the bail hearing.
Right now the last thing law enforcement needs in Portland is trying to keep two or three groups separated. Calls for service are going unanswered, to include calls involving assaults not associated with the riots.
I thought the Proud Patriots were demonstrating in the daytime. Walking around the streets at night in a city plagued for 3 months with nighttime violence might be dangerous.
Danielson was half ready at best. He had tools – bear spray and an Asp in his hands, handgun in a holster. He’d already encountered Reinoehl earlier, I think.
If I understand correctly, that person on Danielson’s left quarter panel is with him. That’s a pair of guys walking enemy territory, and yet they don’t seem to be checking corners and doorways. They are, at least, away from the building and closer to the open street.
I watched the jumpy low-rez video several times. The encounter starts about 12 seconds in. Looks to me like Reinoehl picked his spot when he saw the pair walk into a dark area without too many people. The audio is worse than the video, but I think the yelling is between our principals. I’m guessing that Reinoehl called out to Danielson. In any case, Danielson turns and walks back towards Reinoehl, who shoots twice then runs.
“Ready” means situationally aware.
Plagiarize away. I’m plagiarizing from Cato myself.
My oldest, the Marine, tells me that bear spray is very dangerous and should not be used on humans. It can be several times stronger than pepper spray designed for humans, and can cause blindness.
The leader of Prayers is a resident of a Portland suburb.
Danielson lives in Portland and was going home when shot.
https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/patriot-prayer-leader-joey-gibson-addresses-death-of-aaron-danielson/
Considering most of these clashes have taken place in this tristate region, it wouldn’t surprise if PP is a rural Oregon or Washington outfit. So yes, it is pertinent that right-leaning people show up in Portland and Seattle to demonstrate that the state’s government is not just for the cities.
And he had a warrant out for his arrest on a gun charge.
Can you give three incidents where they broke the law?
Its not just Portlanders who are watching.
Not counting that railroading in New York.
From what I’ve seen, the cops trust the Proud Boys not to attack them or innocent bystanders…..they keep their backs turned and face the Antifa and BLM rioters, instead. Which is where they would be, anyway. You can’t compare Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer to the domestic terrorists.
Yeah, I’m just sad he was shot cowardly in cold blood.
That is why I have it in my truck and bought it for my wife and mother. Mess with me and mine you deserve what you get.
Ironic how someone protesting against police brutality justifies a shooting because the victim had a knife. Doesn’t seem to work as a police defense these days.
That video is out there with an overlaid analysis. Does anyone who actually knows something about this agree that this was a hit team in action?
Well, this looks reasonable enough. But I wonder what Rico’s professionals have to say about it.