Suspect in Portland shooting of far-right protester 'killed by police'

The man suspected of fatally shooting a supporter of a right-wing group in Portland, Oregon, has been shot dead during an operation to detain him, according to local law enforcement officials.

Michael Reinoehl, 48, brandished a gun and was killed as a federal task force attempted to apprehend him in Lacey, Washington State, an official said.

Lt Ray Brady, of Thurston county sheriff’s department, said the Pierce county fugitive apprehension team, working with US marshals, was in the area looking for a wanted homicide suspect when they saw him come out of an apartment. They said he appeared to be armed.

“The suspect came out to the car,” said the Pierce county sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer, according to the Olympian news website. “They attempted to put him into custody and shots were fired.”

Mr Reinoehl was the prime suspect in the killing of Aaron Jay Danielson, who was shot in the chest on Saturday night in Portland.

Authorities in the city said Mr Danielson, 39, was fatally shot during clashes over the weekend between supporters of US President Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters.

It was not clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by demonstrators in the city centre.

A warrant was issued for Mr Reinoehl's arrest following the incident.