Police arrest man in fatal shooting of mother, son in Pleasanton home

31-year-old San Jose resident Allen Swadley accused of killing Lori and Evan Simonds

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the fatal shooting of a mother and son in a home in Pleasanton earlier this week, police announced Friday. San Jose resident Allen Swadley is accused of the shooting reported just after 10 a.m. Wednesday at a home in the 3100 block of Joanne Circle, where officers found 67-year-old Lori Simonds and her son, 28-year-old Evan Simonds, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has shaken the Pleasanton community, raising concerns about gun violence and the need for stronger public safety measures. The investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing.

The details

Detectives later Wednesday identified Swadley as the shooting suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On Thursday evening, an automated license plate reader notification led San Jose police to pull over a vehicle with Swadley inside. He was taken into custody and was later booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of two counts of murder. Investigators found multiple firearms in Swadley's vehicle and residence, and determined that he had a recent dating relationship with a family member of the victims.

  • The shooting was reported just after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Swadley was arrested on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Allen Swadley

A 31-year-old San Jose resident who has been arrested on suspicion of the fatal shooting of a mother and son in Pleasanton.

Lori Simonds

A 67-year-old woman who was killed in the shooting.

Evan Simonds

A 28-year-old man who was killed in the shooting, the son of Lori Simonds.

Tracy Avelar

The Pleasanton Police Chief, who praised the work of detectives in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“This outcome is the result of our detectives working nonstop on this case. 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.”

— Tracy Avelar, Pleasanton Police Chief (nbcbayarea.com)

What’s next

The investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has highlighted the need for stronger public safety measures and a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to gun violence in our communities. As the investigation continues, the Pleasanton community will likely come together to support the victims' family and find ways to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future.