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The Republic
- Two teenagers, Evan Clark, 17, and Pandora Kjolsrud, 18, were found shot and killed near Mount Ord, Arizona.
- Clark’s mother described him as an “old soul” who enjoyed activities such as photography, cars and working at Crumbl Cookies.
- The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the deaths and asking the public for any information related to the case.
- Family and friends have started GoFundMe fundraisers to support the families of both teens.
The family of 17-year-old Evan Clark confirmed he was one of two teens found shot and killed northeast of metro Phoenix.
On May 27, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office found the pair who died from gunshot wounds near Mount Ord off State Route 87, north of Sunflower. Deputies first identified one of the victims as 18-year-old Pandora Kjolsrud.
Sandra Malibu Sweeney, Clark’s mother, later confirmed to The Arizona Republic that her son had died in the incident. “I’m gutted, my son was my world,” Sweeney said of her only child.
The deaths of Clark and Kjolsrud were being investigated as suspicious, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
This is how family and friends started a fundraiser to support Sweeney and how they were remembering Evan.
Mother remembers her son lost in tragedy
A GoFundMe to help with Sweeney’s bereavement was started by family friends Elizabeth and Sarah Stuckey, which was also intended to support an upcoming celebration in honor of Clark’s life.
“I find myself at a complete loss to imagine a life without him,” Sweeney said of her son on the GoFundMe.
She described him as different from the typical teenager. He had an entrepreneurial and social spark and enjoyed concerts, photography, cars and trips to California. Clark enjoyed working at Crumbl Cookies, Sweeney said.
“He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving,” Sweeney said.
Clark thrived at his different Valley schools, first with Rancho Solano Preparatory School and then Veritas Preparatory Academy, where he played on the football team.
He attended his last year of school at Arcadia High School alongside Kjolsrud.
“Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mother’s Day, that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life,” added Sweeney.
As of 3 p.m. June 1, the fundraiser had raised more than $16,000 of a $25,000 goal with over 140 donations.
What’s next for the death investigation?
MCSO declined The Republic’s request for more information after Clark was identified as one of the victims, but asked the public to come forward with any tips on the deaths.
“Your help could be critical in bringing answers and justice to the victims and their families,” spokesperson William Jinks said in a statement on June 1.
The Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about the case to call 602-876-TIPS (602-876-8477).
Deputies added that the teens died of gunshot wounds.
The principal at Arcadia High School, located on Indian School Road near 44th Street in Phoenix, sent a letter to parents on the morning of May 29 about two students’ deaths before they were publicly identified.
A GoFundMe page was set up by a friend of the Kjolsrud family to support them with funeral expenses.
The Arizona Republic’s Jose R. Gonzalez contributed to this article.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
