Spokane arson suspect has criminal history in Arizona

PHOENIX (NBC, KYMA) - Authorities said a man with a criminal history in Arizona has been arrested on a first-degree arson charge in Washington State.

Records showed that 14 years ago, Aaron Farinacci was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault after killing his own father in Arizona, and now, authorities alleged he's responsible for starting the wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of evacuations in Spokane, Washington.

It happened October 2010.

Farinacci, who was 21-years-old at the time, was in his Mesa home when court documents stated he got into an argument with his adopted father about not washing the dishes.

Aaron "became angry and ran to his parents bedroom and locked the door behind him. He then walked to the closet and removed a pistol case from the top shelf."

His father Jeffrey opened the bedroom door which is when Farinacci it says shot him in the face and back. He died at the scene.

Farinacci was found about a half mile from the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Farinacci reportedly told detectives what he'd done and was booked with first degree murder, but in 2012, he took a plea deal for manslaughter and aggravated assault.

He was sentenced to 12 years.

Documents show his mother Beth expressed anger at sentencing, saying she "felt a second degree murder charge would be more appropriate" since he intentionally shot and killed her husband.

She requested "the court give Aaron the maximum amount of prison time allowed" because he "needed to be held accountable for his decisions and actions."

Farinacci, who had 732 days of credit for time served, was released from prison in December 2020 before being discharged from probation in December 2024.

The now 37-year-old is facing a first-degree arson charge for reportedly starting the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington.

Witnesses told authorities they saw him bending down in the grass in the same area where the fire started. He currently has a $1 million bond.