Rapper convicted of murdering Moses Lake man

SPOKANE - John Castro, 27, of Spokane was convicted of murdering a Moses Lake man following a 2011 shooting at a Spokane Quality Inn.

Castro, whose rap name is Lil Danger, was recently found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, second-degree felony murder, felony riot and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to an employee at Spokane County Superior Court.

A heavy police presence was required in the court during the trial because of the defendant's suspected gang affiliation.

After the trial began, Spokane police arrested three men on suspicion of witness tampering for allegedly communicating with witnesses in the trial, according to Krem.com. The three men arrested were Tvar L. Jackson, 33, Barry J. Gardner, 34, and Israel L. Jones, 34.

Castro's sentencing is scheduled for May 8 and he faces life in prison under the Washington state Three Strikes Law.

The victim, Jose A. "Junior" Solis, was a 21-year-old father of two who graduated from Moses Lake High School in 2009.

The shooting occurred when Solis returned to the Quality Inn after attending a concert in Spokane.

According to witnesses, Solis was trying to help his friends who had been involved in a fight earlier in the night when he was reportedly beaten and shot.

A vehicle with Castro allegedly inside was seen by witnesses driving away from the Quality Inn and hitting another vehicle.