A man charged with the murder of a 76-year-old pastor in Arizona in April admitted to committing the crime, which he claimed was motivated by a desire to crucify the beloved religious leader. After the pastor’s death, he even placed a thorn crown on the victim’s head.
When asked directly during an interview with a news outlet, Adam Christopher Sheafe, 51, confirmed he killed Rev. William Scheneman, who was from New River.
Sheafe justified his actions by expressing religious beliefs, asserting that pastors lead followers astray by promoting a misinterpretation of Jesus Christ’s teachings.
Scheneman was cherished in his community, and there were indications that some people felt he wasn’t doing enough to help those in need, as reported by the outlet.
Sheafe disclosed that Rev. Scheneman was the first target in what he called “Operation First Comment,” a plot to kill and crucify 14 Christian leaders across ten states.
He mentioned various Christian denominations and claimed not to harbor hate against Christians, but rather a desire to follow a path he believed was more true.
The suspect also indicated plans to attack two priests at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona, but was apprehended before carrying out that plan.
“I nearly attacked a priest once, but an older woman on a small bicycle got in my way,” he recounted.
When someone of Christian faith asked him if he felt he’d been “sacrificed,” he said no, insisting he had a happy childhood and was not mentally ill.
In the interview, it was noted that those close to Scheneman were dedicated to helping others.
The reporter queried Sheafe about the value of his actions, to which he responded with disjointed religious statements, showing no remorse for his crime.
When asked if he would take back what he did, he simply replied, “Nothing,” but did express regret for implicating the pastor’s family in his “crossfire.”
He seemed indifferent even to the possibility of a death sentence.
Currently, Sheafe is in custody related to charges that are not directly tied to Scheneman’s murder. He has not yet been officially accused of that crime but is expected to be transferred to Maricopa County.
The pastor’s body was discovered in a gruesome state, and authorities described the case as one of the strangest they have encountered.
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The Sedona Police Department played a crucial role in arresting Sheafe promptly, with assistance from the FBI as well.
Sheridan, the sheriff, reiterated how tragic and strange this incident was both in terms of the crime itself and the aftermath.
In a statement released by Pastor Scheneman’s family, they expressed concern that the suspect was gaining unwanted attention through media coverage. They feared it could bolster his notoriety and possibly attract followers to his cause.
The family emphasized their priority was stopping Sheafe before he could harm anyone else and viewed his ability to communicate freely as a serious threat.
