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While attempting to arrest suspected Portland shooter Michael Forest Reinoehl, federal agents shot the suspect and killed him. Last weekend, federal law enforcement alleges Reinoehl was involved in a shooting that killed a far-right sympathizer of Patriot Prayer during a protest in Portland. Reinoehl, who has been described by authorities as an “Antifa supporter,” allegedly drew a gun when confronted by federal agents.
“Initial reports indicate the suspect produced a firearm, threatening the lives of law enforcement officers,” said the US Marshals Service in an official statement. “Task force members responded to the threat and struck the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Immediately following the news, many online pundits noted the grim irony in Reinoehl’s killing. Meanwhile, Kyle Rittenhouse, the Kenosha killer, was arrested without incident after shooting three protesters in Wisconsin.
Others defended federal agents, saying that Reinoehl should have not produced a firearm when confronted by federal agents.
Police had been investigating the death of Aaron Danielson, a supporter of extremist far-right group Patriot Prayer. Danielson was in Portland last week as part of a counter-protest by far-right agitators who were seeking confrontation with Black Lives Matter protesters. An arrest warrant for Reinoehl had been obtained Thursday by the Portland police department.
In an August 29 interview, Reinoehl apparently admitted to the killing of Danielson. He told Vice News “I had no choice” regarding the incident.
Reinoehl had, previously, been a major presence in Portland’s protests. He often worked with protesters in securing their perimeters and aiding them during tense situations with police and far-right counter-protests.
Reinoehl’s sympathy for antifa could be seen from his social media posts. Where most people might post about wanting to head out to the top European cruise lines after COVID is over, Reinoehl’s posts focused on the clashes between protesters in Portland. “I am 100% ANTIFA all the way!” Reinoehl posted on his Instagram.
Antifa is a term that refers to a loose collection of antifascist organizers. The movement has its roots in pre-war Europe, where groups of protesters opposed the Third Reich.
In modern-day America, the group has taken on a strange reputation. Many on the right, including President Donald Trump, often used “antifa” as a catch-all for all protesters and leftists. However, the group is much less organized and well-defined than many right-leaning pundits seem to understand.
As some supporters put it, “antifa is an idea, not an organization”.
