In a startling revelation from the confines of a Maricopa County jail cell, Adam Christopher Sheafe admitted to the premeditated murder of 76-year-old Pastor William Schonemann at his New River home on April 28. The confession came during a jailhouse interview where Sheafe disclosed his broader, chilling intentions to execute a list of religious leaders nationwide.
The authorities had discovered Schonemann's bloodied body following a welfare check prompted by concerns for his well-being. According to Sheafe, a 51-year-old Phoenix resident, the murder was an act of retribution against what he considered to be false preaching. Sheafe described the murder as an execution, further explaining that he crucified Schonemann and placed a crown of thorns on his head as a symbolic gesture against the pastor's teachings.
The interview with True Crime Arizona's Briana Whitney shed light on Sheafe's motivations, which were deeply rooted in his religious beliefs. He claimed his actions were meant to counter false interpretations of God's word and insisted that he was commanded "to rid Israel of evil."
Prior to the murder, Sheafe had stalked another religious figure in Phoenix but refrained from attacking due to the arrival of the priest's female companions. His target list, which spans across multiple states, includes Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, Billings, Detroit, New York, Charlotte, Mobile, Beaumont, and El Paso, with four targets in Arizona alone.
Sheafe's capture came shortly after the murder, as law enforcement officers had already been on his trail in connection with recent burglaries. His arrest in Sedona thwarted his plans to continue his spree of violence, which he had hoped would culminate in his own execution. He expressed a wish for the death penalty, believing it to be a demonstration of his convictions and a testament to his challenge against Christian doctrine.
Despite the gravity of his crimes, Sheafe maintained a belief that God would forgive him, citing his understanding of divine mercy and the nature of sin and redemption. His views on theology and salvation sparked further inquiry during his interview, as he contended that the conventional Christian narrative of forgiveness through Jesus was not accurate.
As details of Sheafe's confession and his alleged divine mandate come to light, investigators are diligently working to understand the full extent of his planned actions and any additional individuals who may have been at risk. Sheafe remains in custody, and formal charges in Maricopa County are anticipated.
