Adam Sheafe, the man accused of the religiously motivated killing of Pastor Bill Schonemann in New River, Arizona, has openly confessed to the crime and revealed that he had a list of other intended victims. In a jailhouse interview, Sheafe admitted to True Crime Arizona correspondent Briana Whitney, "I drove from there (Phoenix) to Bill's house, like two in the morning on a Sunday night, and I executed him," as reported by AZFamily.
Sheafe’s chilling confession detailed a nationwide plot to "crucify" 14 Christian leaders in 10 states, starting with Pastor Bill. The pastor was found deceased on April 28 after deputies conducted a welfare check at his New River home. According to FOX 10, Sheafe said that Pastor Bill was "first up" in his scheme and described how he had made to crucify two other pastors in Sedona before being apprehended by the police for unrelated burglary charges.
The suspect made it clear that he felt no remorse for his actions, stating in an interview with FOX 10, "Will I apologize for my actions? Absolutely not." Sheafe justified his plans with religious motives, claiming that he was following a direct commandment to rid people of what he perceived as spiritual deceit. Pastor Bill was remembered by his community as a person who always helped those in need and had a passion for building trucks.
Sheafe's extreme beliefs went beyond Arizona. He told FOX 10 that he planned to target different Christian groups, saying he was against anyone preaching that Jesus is God. He claimed the idea of the Trinity was man-made and not true. Despite this, Sheafe said he doesn't hate Christians, but was focused on pastors he believes are misleading people. He also said he was "OK with being executed" for his actions.
The family of the late Pastor Bill expressed concerns over Sheafe's access to communication and the media spotlight he has garnered. On June 24, they released a statement emphasizing the danger of the suspect's messaging, potentially inspiring a following, and the urgency to prevent him from carrying out further plans, as per FOX 10. As the family and community mourn, they remain focused on honoring Pastor Bill's legacy and preventing any further tragedy.
