In Loving Memory of Lori Simonds and Evan Simonds
The community of Pleasanton is grieving the heartbreaking loss of a mother and son whose lives were tragically taken on the morning of February 19, 2026. What began as an ordinary Thursday quickly turned into an unimaginable tragedy for the Simonds family and all who knew them.
According to police, officers responded at approximately 10:00 a.m. to a reported shooting at a residence in the 3100 block of Joanne Circle. Upon entering the home, they discovered two individuals suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency response efforts, both victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victims as 67-year-old Lori Simonds and her 28-year-old son, Evan Simonds.
Lori, at 67, had lived decades filled with experiences, relationships, and memories. She was a mother whose love for her child was undoubtedly deep and enduring. Friends and neighbors remember her as someone who had built a life rooted in family and connection. A home that once carried warmth and conversation now stands as a painful reminder of loss.
Evan, only 28 years old, was just beginning the full journey of adulthood. He had dreams yet to fully unfold and milestones still ahead. As a son, he shared a bond with his mother that was uniquely their own — a connection that spanned nearly three decades. That bond makes this tragedy all the more heartbreaking: two generations lost together in a single act of violence.
Detectives launched an immediate investigation and later that same day identified Allen Swadley, 31, as the primary suspect. Authorities obtained a warrant for his arrest. An automated license plate reader alert notified San Jose Police Department that Swadley’s vehicle had been located. Officers conducted a traffic stop and took him into custody without incident. He was later booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of two counts of murder.
During the investigation, law enforcement officials recovered multiple firearms from both the suspect’s vehicle and his residence. Detectives also determined that Swadley had a recent dating relationship with a family member of the victims. The motive and full circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting remain under active investigation.
While legal proceedings will unfold in the months ahead, the focus today remains on Lori and Evan — not solely as victims of a crime, but as lives that mattered deeply. Their home was once filled with shared meals, conversations, and everyday moments that now carry immeasurable weight. The loss of both mother and son at once leaves an indescribable void for surviving family members.
The Pleasanton community now finds itself holding space for grief — neighbors reflecting on the fragility of life, friends offering support, and loved ones trying to process the sudden silence left behind.
May Lori Simonds be remembered for the years she lived, the love she gave, and the strength she carried as a mother.
May Evan Simonds be remembered for his youth, his potential, and the future he was building.
To the Simonds family: may you find comfort in shared memories and strength in one another during this unimaginable time.
Rest peacefully, Lori and Evan. 🕊️
Forever loved. Forever remembered.









