San Jose Man Arrested in Pleasanton Double Homicide of Mother Lori Simonds and Son Evan Simonds

 The city of Pleasanton, California, is reeling after the tragic deaths of Lori Simonds, 67, and her 28-year-old son, Evan Simonds, who were fatally shot inside their home earlier this week. The double-homicide has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief and shock, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the devastating incident. Community members describe the victims as beloved and well-known figures whose loss has left a void in the tight-knit Bay Area community.

According to the Pleasanton Police Department, officers responded Wednesday morning to a home in the 3100 block of Joanne Circle, near Ken Mercer Sports Park, after reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, first responders found Lori and Evan Simonds deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the fatalities and officially classified the case as a double-homicide.

Authorities arrested 31-year-old Allen Swadley of San Jose late Thursday after San Jose police stopped his vehicle following an alert from an automated license-plate reader. Swadley was booked into Santa Rita Jail on two counts of murder and is being held without bail. Investigators indicated that Swadley had a recent dating relationship with a family member of the victims but has no prior criminal history. The motive for the killings remains under investigation, and multiple firearms have been recovered from his vehicle and residence.

Evan Simonds, a Bay Area Tax Associate, was remembered by friends and family for his outgoing personality and diverse interests. He briefly competed in Next Level Pro Wrestling under the ring name Lars Luger, a testament to his adventurous spirit. A GoFundMe campaign to support Evan’s surviving sister, Melissa, has raised more than $60,000 in the wake of the tragedy, reflecting the community’s support and desire to help the family through an unimaginable loss.

Neighbors and community members have expressed shock at the violence, describing the Simonds family as kind, compassionate, and well-integrated in the neighborhood. Many have spoken about the importance of supporting one another and coming together in times of grief, highlighting the close-knit nature of Pleasanton’s residential communities. Vigils and memorials have been organized to honor the lives of both mother and son, with local leaders emphasizing the need for compassion and unity as the investigation unfolds.

Law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with information about the double-homicide to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation. As Pleasanton mourns the loss of Lori and Evan Simonds, their memory lives on through the impact they had on friends, neighbors, and family. The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need for community solidarity in facing acts of violence that shake a city to its core.