Portland Courant

A group rallying after the fatal shooting of Aaron J. Danielson celebrated the man’s death.

“We can take of the problem on our own. I am not sad that a fucking facist died tonight,” an unknown woman yelled  into a bullhorn.

Cheers erupted from the crowd around her punctuated by people saying “yes!’

Aaron J. Danielson

Danielson was shot in the chest by an unknown assailant.

Patriot Prayer, a group active in organizing counter-protests the day of Danielson's death, identified him as a supporter. 

Danielson was partof a caravan of Trump supporters when he was killed.

Conservatives point to Danielson’s death and assaults on others as proof conservatives are being targeted.

“(T)he Antifa and BLM criminals who have now rioted nightly for nearly one hundred days in Portland now feel privileged to beat and even kill anyone who comes to the City of Portland to exercise free speech rights in favor of our President and conservative values and principles,” Multnomah County Republican Party (MCRP) Chairman James Buchal said in a statement. “This is not random criminal behavior. It is an organized and totalitarian political strategy to shut down free speech by ‘de-platforming’ any opposing political views with violence and threats of violence.”

Danielson’s friends have been aghast at media coverage of the incident.

"We beg all of you, each of you, to stop comparing our friend to someone he didn't know and who he wasn't," Michael Hamilton, a friend of Danielson’s, said during a press conference.

Luke Carrillo, Danielson’s friend and partner in a moving company, said the mainstream media was quick to judge Danielson’s character in their rush to report the news.

"Aaron J. Danielson was not a radical, he was not a racist, he was not a fascist,” Carrillo said. “He was a freedom-loving American who died expressing his beliefs, a right which is given to all of us through the Constitution."

Democrat Gov. Kate Brown, who is facing a recall effort, released a statement in the wake of the violence blaming the incident on “white supremacists.” Brown did not supply evidence to back up her claim. 

“The right-wing group Patriot Prayer and self-proclaimed militia members drove into downtown Portland last night, armed and looking for a fight,” Brown said. “Every Oregonian has the right to freely express their views without fear of deadly violence. I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists to bring more bloodshed to our streets.”

In contrast, Buchal said the violence and destruction is part of larger campaign.  

“(W)hile we recognize that incidents of violence are likely to occur on both sides, we are sick and tired of local media reports that constantly associate violence with conservative demonstrations,” Buchal said. “This is a gross mischaracterization intended to divert attention from the real issue: that attacks are repeatedly initiated by Leftists trained by Portland's public schools, supported by Portland's political leaders, and protected from criminal prosecution by Portland's District Attorney.”

In the days leading up to Danielson’s death businesses and other groups announced they were leaving downtown Portland for good due to the indefinite rioting.  

Residents in the area plagued by Black Lives Matter rioting have said it is unbearable.

“It feels like we're living in war,” Marta Guembes, a 20 year resident and Black Lives Matter supporter, told KGW8. 

Danielson’s family released a statement following his death.

“We pray that justice is done for the senseless killing of our beloved Jay, who never did any harm to anyone and who was so selfless, generous, kind, and loved everyone regardless of skin color. We pray for peace in our country and we want the violence to stop,” Danielson’s family said.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Danielson.