Suspect sought in connection of deadly Portland shooting killed during encounter with authorities

No officers were injured during the incident.

ByAlexander Mallin and William Mansell
September 4, 2020, 3:05 AM

A man sought in connection in the death of a pro-Trump protester in Portland, Oregon, last week is dead after being shot by officers who were trying to apprehend him Thursday night in Lacey, Washington.

Michael Reinoehl, 48, was located by the FBI and U.S. Marshals, but when Reinoehl allegedly pulled a gun, taskforce members shot him, a law enforcement official tells ABC News.

The suspect was under surveillance when he left an apartment and got into a vehicle, which is when he was confronted by authorities, Lt. Ray Brady of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said during a press briefing Thursday night.

When officers tried to stop the vehicle, shots were fired and the suspect was killed. The sheriff's spokesperson said no officers were injured and at this time it's unclear if Reinoehl fired at officers.

PHOTO: Investigators work near a tarp covering on Sept. 3, 2020 in Lacey, Washington.
Investigators work near a tarp covering on Sept. 3, 2020 in Lacey, Washington.
Nathan Howard/Getty Images

"There was shots that were fired into the vehicle, and the subject fled from the vehicle at which time there was additional shots that were fired," Brady said Thursday.

Brady said four officers fired their weapons during the confrontation. Details of Reinoehl's warrant are not being released at this time.

The suspect, who Brady did not name during the press conference, only describing him as a male in his 40s, had an outstanding warrant issued for him for homicide.

PHOTO: A Washington State Patrol Crime Lab worker looks at evidence markers, Sept. 4, 2020, in Lacey, Wash.
A Washington State Patrol Crime Lab worker looks at evidence markers, Sept. 4, 2020, in Lacey, Wash.
Ted S. Warren/AP

Reinoehl was sought in connection to the killing of 39-year-old Aaron Danielson during violent protests last weekend between a large caravan of pro-Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland.

Joey Gibson, a founder of Patriot Prayer, a Washington state-based right-wing group, told ABC News that Danielson was a member of his group and a friend.

PHOTO: Investigators move the body at Tanglewilde Terrace, where law enforcement officers shot a man reported to be Michael Forest Reinoehl, in Lacey, Washington, Sept. 4, 2020.
Investigators move the body at Tanglewilde Terrace, where law enforcement officers shot a man reported to be Michael Forest Reinoehl, in Lacey, Washington, Sept. 4, 2020.
Caitlin Ochs/Reuters

Gibson said he's not satisfied with Thursday night's outcome.

“They got one of about 12 involved in the assassination of Jay. We will not be satisfied until all of them are brought to justice," Gibson told ABC News.

PHOTO: Police officials work at a scene where a man suspected of fatally shooting a supporter of a right-wing group in Portland, Ore., last week was killed as investigators moved in to arrest him in Lacey, Wash., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.
Police officials work at a scene where a man suspected of fatally shooting a supporter of a right-wing group in Portland, Ore., last week was killed as investigators moved in to arrest him in Lacey, Wash., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. Michael Reinoehl, 48, was killed as a federal task force attempted to apprehend him in Lacey, a senior Justice Department official said. Reinoehl was the prime suspect in the killing of 39-year-old Aaron “Jay” Danielson, who was shot in the chest Saturday night, the official said.
Ted Warren/AP

ABC News' Bill Hutchinson and Kayna Whitworth contributed to this report.

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