Disturbing revelations have emerged from a jailhouse confession by 51‑year‑old Adam Christopher Sheafe, accused of the grotesque crucifixion-style murder of Pastor William “Pastor Bill” Schonemann, 76, who led the New River Bible Chapel in Arizona.
Sheafe told True Crime Arizona that he deliberately targeted Schonemann, stating he drove from Phoenix “around two in the morning on a Sunday night,” found the pastor mid‑Bible‑study, and executed him—pinning him to the wall in a haunting reenactment of the crucifixion. He even placed a crown of thorns from nearby woods on Schonemann’s head.
Sheafe framed his actions as a self‑declared “divine mission” under what he called “Operation First Commandment”, arguing that Christian leaders were “leading their flock astray” by following “a false God.”
ABC15 reported, “According to Sheafe’s own words, his motive was fueled by his religious beliefs, claiming that Christianity is wrong and that the Bible should only be the Old Testament.”
“Because what I’m saying is, what you’re preaching is not what God said. It’s the opposite of what God said,” Sheafe said.
Sheafe admitted that 14 other clergy members across ten states were on his hit list—including priests and pastors in cities such as:
- Phoenix, AZ
- Sedona, AZ
- Las Vegas, NV
- Portland, OR
- Seattle WA
- Billings MT
- Detroit, MI
- New York, NY
- Charlotte NC
- Mobile AL
- Beaumont, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Phoenix AZ
Authorities say Sheafe currently faces first‑degree murder charges in Maricopa County, with the possibility of a death-penalty prosecution.
“Put me on death row, set the execution date for right now,” Sheafe said. “The victims want it. The victim’s families want it. I want it, and the taxpayers want it.”
ABC15 reported:
He told ABC15 he loves God and is “protective” of him. Sheafe also denied being part of any group with his beliefs.
Sheafe was ultimately arrested with the help of multiple agencies, including Sedona police. The string of alleged felonies he’s now charged with in Coconino County helped lead law enforcement to the now self-proclaimed killer.
Sheafe said that, days after his arrest, he wrote to the FBI, confessing, sharing details that would only be known by the person who was at that crime scene.
Sheafe has a lengthy criminal history that already spans multiple states.
At a recent press conference, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan described this as the most “bizarre” case he’s seen in his decades with the agency.
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“Will God forgive me?” said Sheafe. “Of course, he will forgive me. He’s a loving God. He’s a forgiving God.”
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