Candlelight Vigil Held In Pleasanton In Memory Of Mother & Son Killed Last Week

PLEASANTON, CA — Dozens attended a vigil at Ken Mercer Sports Park Saturday evening to honor the memories of Lori and Evan Simonds, a mother and son who were fatally shot in Pleasanton last week.

“In the midst of so much heartbreak, we want to come together in love and solidarity,” wrote Jacki Bott, a friend who organized a GoFundMe on behalf of Melissa, the daughter and sister of the two victims. That fundraiser has raised $76,263 out of a $110,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.

“This will be a time to stand together as a community, to honor lives lost, to support those grieving, and to remind one another that no one walks through tragedy alone. Please bring a candle if you are able. Most importantly, bring your presence, your compassion, and your prayers. Thank you for continuing to lift this family up in every possible way.”

Patch has reached out to Bott for further comment.

Lori, 67, and Evan, 28, (who went by James) were both found dead in their home on Joanne Circle Wednesday morning. On Thursday, San Jose police arrested Allen Swadley, a 32-year-old San Jose man whom police say had a recent dating relationship with a family member of the victims.

He was charged with two counts of murder and is being held without bail, according to Pleasanton police and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office records.

Lori and James are both remembered as kind and well-liked.

“They were just innocent, sweet, community members,” Bott told Pleasanton Weekly. “[Lori] just had joy and love for (her kids). They were her whole world.”

James, who was a tax associate in San Francisco according to his LinkedIn profile, was also a professional wrestler who went by the title “The Sex Hawk” Lars Lugar.

“As a wrestler, Evan was a graduate of Stoner U and recently made his NLPW debut at the Christmas Chaos Rumble. Though his time with NLPW was brief, he was a fun and colorful part of our NLPW family, and his loss is felt deeply,” Next Level Pro Wrestling, a wrestling promotion and training academy based in Sacramento, said in a statement posted to social media. NLPW said they will honor James with a ten-bell salute and moment of silence at their next event.

Bott also wrote that someone broke into the Simonds home and stole two vehicles. “The Pleasanton Police Department is aware of the reported burglary and vehicle theft. Our officers are currently investigating this incident and we have no available information at this time,” Pleasanton Police Department Lt. Nicholas Albert told Patch Friday. Patch is awaiting further information as of Monday.

SEE ALSO:

• Arrest Made In Pleasanton Mother-Son Double Homicide; Victims Identified
  
• Mother, Son Fatally Shot In Pleasanton
  
• 2 Dead In Pleasanton Shooting: Police