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Who Is Aaron Farinacci? Accused Old Trails Fire Starter
Who Is Aaron Farinacci? A Simple Timeline of Events
The Big Picture
Aaron Farinacci is a 37-year-old man who was recently arrested for starting a massive wildfire in Washington state. But this isn’t his first serious crime. Over a decade ago, he was convicted of killing his adoptive father in Arizona.
What Happened in Arizona (2010)
Important Point: This event happened when Aaron was 21 years old — he is now 37.
The Argument That Started It All
- Aaron was in the dining room with his mother and adoptive father.
- They got into an argument about doing the dishes.
- The argument escalated quickly.
The Shooting
- Aaron went into his parents’ bedroom.
- His father followed and unlocked the door with a key.
- Aaron grabbed a gun that was kept in the room.
- He shot his father in the face.
- As his father turned to leave, Aaron shot him again in the back.
- Aaron then shot himself in the chest with the same gun.
What Aaron Told Police
- He claimed the shooting was an accident.
- He said he "deserved to be sentenced to prison as he took someone’s life."
The Legal Outcome (2012)
| Charge | Result |
|---|---|
| Manslaughter | Convicted |
| Aggravated Assault | Convicted |
Life After Prison
- 2020: Released from prison.
- 2024: Finished probation while living in Washington state with his girlfriend.
- August 2025: Arrested for arson in Spokane County, Washington.
The Old Trails Fire (August 2025)
Important Point: This is now the most destructive fire in Spokane history.
What We Know
- Started: Saturday (early August 2025)
- Cause: "Knowingly and maliciously" set by Aaron Farinacci, according to court documents.
- Witnesses: Saw him kneeling in the grass exactly where the fire started.
- Damage:
- 60,000+ people evacuated
- 700+ homes destroyed
What the Sheriff Said
"Mr. Farinacci is a convicted felon out of the state of Arizona. Major crimes detectives in Spokane County were able to identify him. They developed probable cause and determined the origin of the fire was indeed exactly where the witnesses had seen Mr. Farinacci kneeling in the grass earlier that day."
— Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels
Where Things Stand Now
- Aaron appeared before a judge on Tuesday.
- He is being held on a $1 million bond.
- The investigation is ongoing.
Summary
- 2010: Aaron Farinacci (age 21) shot and killed his adoptive father during a dish argument, then shot himself.
- 2012: Convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault.
- 2020: Released from prison.
- 2024: Off probation, living in Washington.
- August 2025: Arrested for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire — the worst fire in Spokane history.
- Now: In jail on $1 million bond, awaiting further court proceedings.
FAQ
1. Was Aaron Farinacci ever diagnosed with a mental illness?
The public records shared in the news articles do not mention a mental health diagnosis. He told police the shooting was an accident but also said he deserved prison.
2. Why was he released from prison in 2020?
He served his sentence for manslaughter and aggravated assault. In the U.S., people convicted of these crimes often serve part of their sentence and are released on probation.
3. What does "manslaughter" mean in simple terms?
Manslaughter means causing someone’s death without planning it ahead of time (unlike murder). It often happens in the heat of the moment.
4. How do we know he started the Old Trails Fire?
- Witnesses saw him kneeling where the fire started.
- Fire investigators confirmed the fire began exactly there.
- The Sheriff’s Office says they have probable cause to arrest him.
5. What happens next?
He will go through the court process for the arson charge. If convicted, he could face many more years in prison — especially because he is already a convicted felon.
This article is based on publicly available court records and news reports from KREM (Spokane, WA). All information is presented in simplified language for clarity.
