Detectives have completed the investigation into an officer-involved shooting that killed Portland shooting suspect Michael Reinoehl in September near Lacey.
Reinoehl was wanted for the murder of Aaron Danielson, a vocal supporter of then-President Donald Trump. The killing occurred on August 29th, 2020 during a clash of two protest groups. A 2nd Degree Murder warrant for Reinoehl’s arrest was issued out of Multnomah County Circuit Court.
On September 3rd, Members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force received information that Reinoehl was at an address in the 7600 block of 3rd Ave SE in Lacey and they went to the address in an attempt to apprehend him. While conducting surveillance, officers spotted Reinoehl and attempted to take him into custody, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, who investigated the incident.
When officers with the task force attempted to take him into custody, he refused to comply with instructions to surrender, and was armed with a .380 pistol and reached for it. This was followed by an exchange of gunfire, which Reinoehl initiated from inside his vehicle, according to witness statements provided to TCSO.
Reinoehl was shot and killed by officers at the scene. The pistol was found in his possession, and a spent casing that matched the pistol was found inside of his vehicle, according to investigators.
The investigation was completed on March 30th, 2021 and forwarded to the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office for review per state law.
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