“California Man Accused of Father’s Murder Now Linked to Fatal Fire Incident”
A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fatal fire that resulted in the death of a man, several years after he allegedly stabbed his father.
In the early hours of September 23, the Union City Police responded to multiple reports of a house engulfed in flames on 14th Street. Upon arrival, officers encountered a significant fire. While all occupants managed to escape, a 66-year-old male victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Initially, police detained a 57-year-old woman in connection with the case, but she was subsequently released. Investigators later identified Christopher Schwenk as the primary suspect and took him into custody. He now faces charges of murder and arson, with bail set at $250,000.
This is not Schwenk’s first encounter with law enforcement. In 2019, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office reported that he was arrested for the alleged murder of his 55-year-old father, Troy Schwenk. On November 11, 2019, authorities conducted a welfare check at a residence on San Miguel Avenue, where they found the victim deceased on the floor. Although the sheriff’s office did not detail the cause of death, reports indicate that he was stabbed. Christopher Schwenk was charged with murder and faced an enhancement for using a knife; however, the case was eventually dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
