Investigators: Antifa activist Michael Reinoehl shot at US Marshals first

Authorities appeared to be acting in self-defense after being shot at first.

It was back on the night of August 29th 2020 that right-winger Aaron Danielson was shot dead in the middle of the street. Surveillance footage shows that Reinoehl had been hunting Danielson for some time that evening.

Fast forward to September 3rd, and federal marshals tracked Michael Forest Reinoehl down to a neighborhood in Olympia, Washington. Reinoehl was loading up his car at 6:40 PM that evening when two SUVs sped toward his location, and U.S. marshals jumped out to arrest him.

Reinoehl reportedly jumped out of the car and pointed a .380 pistol at one of the marshals. The lingering question was if Reinoehl shot at the group. As obviously it’s already known the group returned fire. The investigation announcement today solidifies the answer. A .380 casing found in Reinhoel’s vehicle matched his pistol.

An investigation was opened surrounding the response in the confrontation.

“While it is very plausible and it does match up with the statements, we were not able to find the actual round from [Reinoehl’s pistol] to definitively say, ‘absolutely’ that he fired from that car,” Lt. Cameron Simper told OPB. He was the lead on this case. “Based on our investigation, based on the witness statements, the casing in the car and officers statements, it is highly likely.”

It’s up to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office whether or not charges will be filed against the officers involved.