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A San Jose man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of killing the mother and brother of his ex-girlfriend inside the family’s Pleasanton home earlier in the week, the Weekly has learned.
The suspect, 32-year-old Allen Swadley, is currently being held at Santa Rita Jail without bail, according to a press release from the Pleasanton Police Department on Friday.
The victims have also since been identified as Pleasanton residents 67-year-old Lori Simonds and 28-year-old Evan Simonds – who used to go by his middle name, James, according to a family friend who spoke to the Weekly.
“This outcome is the result of our detectives working nonstop on this case, with support from our Real-Time Information Center and allied agencies,” Pleasanton Police Chief Tracy Avelar said in the press release. “We appreciate the patience of our community as we worked through a rapidly evolving investigation, and I’m proud of the work done to keep the community safe.”
The situation unfolded on Wednesday morning (Feb. 18), with police responding to reports of gunshots coming from a home located on the 3100 block of Joanne Circle at around 10:05 a.m., according to Lt. Nicholas Albert. Upon arriving, officers discovered the bodies of the mother and son with multiple gunshot wounds.
According to Albert, following Wednesday’s preliminary investigation, detectives identified Swadley as their prime suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. San Jose Police Department officers were the ones who contacted Swadley during a traffic stop late Thursday evening thanks to the help of the city’s automated license plate reader system, the lieutenant said.
Swadley was detained without incident and transferred to the custody of the Pleasanton police before he was booked at Santa Rita Jail on two counts of murder, according to Albert. He turned 32 in jail custody, with records stating his birthday was Friday.
“Multiple firearms have been recovered from Swadley’s vehicle and residence,” Albert said in Friday’s press release. “Further testing will be required to determine if any of the firearms were used during the crime.”
Swadley has had no prior criminal history, but he had a “recent dating relationship with a family member of the victims”, according to Albert, who declined to specify whom Swadley dated. Bott confirmed that the suspect had been dating Lori Simonds’ daughter.
“The Pleasanton Police Department is continuing to investigate the suspect’s motive for the crime,” police stated in Friday’s press release. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims.”
For Jacki Bott and her son, the news of their family friends’ deaths hit hard. She said James Simonds and her son were friends for most of their lives; they grew up together, worked their first job together and would often visit each other’s houses for family nights.
“They were just innocent, sweet, community members,” Bott said.
Bott described James Simonds as one of the most inclusive and all-around friendly people, while his mom Lori Simonds was one of the most hardworking people devoted to providing for her son and daughter and to give them the best life imaginable in Pleasanton.
“She was just wonderful,” Bott said of Lori Simonds. “She just had joy and love for (her kids). They were her whole world.”
“They were the closest family,” she added. “You couldn’t separate the three of them. They were like the three musketeers.”
Bott noted that Lori lost her husband several years ago.
According to the Alameda County Inmate Locator, Swadley is being held without bail. He is set to be arraigned of his charges Tuesday (Feb. 24) at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
Albert also confirmed that police are currently investigating a report of a burglary at the victims’ residence from Friday morning.
A GoFundMe campaign, “Support for Melissa After Tragic Loss”, is currently up to collect donations to cover funeral and other costs.
Police: Mother, son killed in shooting in neighborhood near Ken Mercer Sports ParkFebruary 18, 2026 5:47 pm