Man once accused of murdering his father arrested after fatal house fire

UNION CITY, California. – A 33-year-old man was arrested in connection with a fire earlier this week in Union City that left another man dead, police said Wednesday.

Just before 3:30 a.m. Monday, officers responded to reports of a house on fire at 33400 14th Street. Residents were able to escape, but a 66-year-old man was taken to a hospital and died of his injuries, according to Union City police. His name was not immediately available.

Investigators arrested Union City resident Christopher Schwenk. Alameda County jail records show he was booked into the Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder and arson and remains in custody on $250,000 bail.

Police said they initially arrested a 57-year-old woman, but she was later released.

In 2019, Schwenk was arrested and charged with the murder of his father, 55-year-old Troy Schwenk, when he was 28 years old.

His father was a ranger with the East Bay Regional Park District before he was stabbed to death in his Castro Valley home. The murder charge and a sentencing enhancement for alleged knife use were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Investigators have not released any further details about the case and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Bedford at (510) 675-5266 or [email protected].

Tips can also be sent anonymously to (510) 675-5207 or [email protected].

KTVU crime reporter Henry Lee contributed to this report.