Accused killer has long criminal history

In this Nov. 14, 2003, photo, John Castro talks with police and Spokane SWAT members from a roof on East Gordon Avenue after barging inside, kicking out the residents and daring the police to shoot him. (SRPhoto/Jed Conklin)

A 27-year-old man suspected of shooting another man to death in a fight at a downtown Spokane hotel has an exte nsive criminal history.

John Anthony Castro (pictured in 2009) was released from prison in July 2007 after serving three years and four months for second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, delivery of cocaine, attempt to elude police and first-degree malicious mischief, according to court records.

He was arrested in November 2003 after a standoff with police that began six hours earlie r when he left a home he had invaded and led police on a high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods. Castro was released from Department of Corrections supervision in July 2010.

Now he’s back in custody on a second-degree murder charge for a fatal shooting at the Quality inn, 110 E. Fourth Ave., about 2:40 a.m. on Sunday.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting on autopsy on the 21-year-old victim today. He has been identified as Jose Arturo Solis. Castro is being held on $1 million bond. Read more here.

Steven Tramp, the manager of Quality Inn, said the shooting involved a group originating in Moses Lake was occupying a dozen rooms at the hotel after attending a concert in Spokane. Read more from Pia Hallenberg’s story here.