Paul Child noticed a stranger near railroad tracks outside his Washington home. He drove past the man twice and then saw smoke rising about ten minutes later. This chain of events led the police to identify an accused wildfire arsonist.
Newly obtained bodycam footage shows officers evacuating Child’s family. They also escorted him, his grandson, and the boy’s friend to a field showup after detaining a man matching their descriptions.
While waiting near the showup scene, an officer commented about the detained man having “a whole fanny pack full of matches.” The video does not show the matches or explain their recovery.
Aaron F. Farinacci faces suspicion of first-degree arson concerning the Old Trails Fire in eastern Washington.
Child noted his group was initially unaware of the fanny pack containing matches, cigarettes, and a lighter. They had thought the man carried a backpack.
On the day of the incident, Child and the two boys noticed the man twice near the tracks, the second time displaying unusual behavior. After spotting them, he paced nervously before they observed smoke soon after returning home.
Bodycam footage from the Airway Heights Police Department captures smoke billowing in the distance as Officer Pace discusses evacuation with Child’s family. The officer hints at potentially detaining the suspect and the possibility of a showup request.
A field showup involves witnesses identifying someone detained shortly after an incident. Child explained they were taken about a mile and a half from his home to identify the suspect.
“We pulled off, they got an individual out, and we gave a positive ID that’s who we saw,” Child recounted.
The suspect, Aaron Forrest Farinacci, faced no immediate charges upon initial detainment. However, witnesses identified him, leading to his arrest two days later.
The Old Trails Fire, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires have burned across Spokane and Stevens counties, devastating over 920 structures.
Farinacci, held initially on $1 million bail, later saw it doubled to $2 million. He also faces additional arson charges after confessing to setting 25 fires since 2025.
Court documents allege that Farinacci used weather apps for ideal fire conditions and built a delayed ignition device for the Old Trails Fire.
During questioning, he initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire. However, he later confessed to planning and executing the blaze over two weeks. Investigators claim he used a time-delay device similar to one by serial arsonist John Leonard Orr.
As the fire spread, Child’s family evacuated with pets and belongings, leaving behind essential items.
“It was chaotic,” Child said, expressing regret for not stopping the suspect before his actions escalated. He considered his alert to the police only a small part of the response.
Despite the chaos, Child found relief in knowing the suspect was caught, although aware of the potential continued threat until his arrest.