Friends and Donald Trump Mourn Death of Right-Wing Supporter Shot in Portland

PORTLAND, KOMPAS.com - President Donald Trump mourned the loss of a right-wing supporter Aaron “Jay” Danielson who was shot dead on a Portland street.

The 39-year-old whom his friends and the US President said was the victim of mob violence, was shot in the chest Saturday night.

Danielson and a friend were seen heading downtown to protect a flag-waving caravan of Trump supporters.

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The individuals wore hats with the insignia of Patriot Prayer, a group that has clashed with left-wing protesters in Portland for years.

Danielson and his friend also appeared armed with knives and paintball guns.

Since the tragic event, an online fundraising effort has been initiated raising tens of thousands of dollars in his memory.

“Paint is a defensive mechanism. Paint is not bullets,” Trump said during his White House briefing Monday, adding that someone connected with violent protests “shot a young gentleman and killed him. Not with paint but with a bullet.”

In cellphone video of the shooting, both Danielson and his assailant were seen on a darkened street.

At least three shots rang out in a smoky haze, followed by images of Danielson crumpled on the ground as the friend, Chandler Pappas, slaps him in the face and rolls him over, yelling “Jay! Jay!”

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“He was a good man and he was just killed senselessly for no reason other than he believed something different than they do,” Pappas told supporters during a rally Sunday. “He was Christian. He was conservative.”

Added Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson on his Facebook page: “We love Jay and he had such a huge heart. God bless him and the life he lived.”

Ex-girlfriend Christine Banks said Monday Danielson didn't discuss politics much but of the weeks-long protests in Portland: “He didn't think it was right. ... He was there for peace.”

Banks said Danielson was a good person who loved nature and animals.