Washington Arson Suspect Has Prior Murder Conviction, Records Reveal

A 37-year-old man detained Monday in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the most destructive of three wildfires ravaging the Spokane area, had previously been convicted of killing his father in Arizona more than a decade earlier. Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson after authorities developed probable cause linking him to the blaze that has consumed at least 700 structures and displaced approximately 67,000 residents.

Court filings obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Farinacci faced first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges stemming from a 2010 incident in Mesa, Arizona. According to The Associated Press, the then-21-year-old fatally shot his father during a confrontation involving household chores, then shot himself but survived the self-inflicted wound. Farinacci pleaded guilty in 2012 to reduced charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.

An Arizona judge sentenced Farinacci to 12 years in prison for the 2010 homicide. The Arizona Department of Corrections released him on December 23, 2020, marking the beginning of his supervised reentry into society. Less than six years after his discharge from the correctional system, he became the focal point of a major criminal investigation in Washington state.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said witnesses observed a man matching Farinacci’s description acting suspiciously near the fire’s origin point. After noticing smoke rising from the same location, those witnesses alerted an Airway Heights police officer and furnished investigators with a detailed physical description and information about the suspect’s clothing. Initially detained and questioned, Farinacci was released as emergency responders prioritized civilian evacuation efforts.

When first contacted by deputies, Farinacci carried waterproof matches and a butane lighter, investigators reported. Fire specialists subsequently determined the blaze pattern was consistent with ignition from a match or lighter applied to dried vegetation. Detectives developed probable cause for arrest after analyzing witness statements, body camera recordings, and evidence collected in collaboration with fire investigators.

Nowels stated the first-degree arson charge reflects the evidence currently available to authorities, though he indicated additional charges may be pursued as investigators complete their assessment of the fire’s full destructive impact. The sheriff commended the residents whose vigilance and willingness to report suspicious activity enabled the swift identification and apprehension of the suspect.