new website title:The suspect in the fatal attack on a 76-year-old Arizona pastor was arrested after a multi-day manhunt through forest terrain, raising questions about motive and missed warning signs.

According to the Christian Post, Authorities say Adam Christopher Sheafe, 49, a recently released federal inmate, is believed to have killed Pastor William Schonemann in a religiously driven crime, and had intentions to target others before his arrest on April 30 in Sedona.

Pastor William Schonemann was found dead in his home on April 28. The scene showed apparent evidence of foul play, with his arms spread and hands secured to a wall. Investigators believe robbery was not the motive.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office identified Sheafe as the primary suspect in the killing. Schonemann had no known personal or criminal connections to Sheafe, and officials confirmed the pastor was randomly targeted.

Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan called the incident “one of the most bizarre” cases he had encountered in four decades. Captain David Lee added that the motive appeared to be religious and that Sheafe had planned to target more victims.

Early Signs of Suspicious Activity Near Church

In late April, a community member observed Sheafe acting suspiciously near the New River Bible Chapel, where Schonemann served as pastor. Authorities believe a burglary occurred shortly thereafter in the same area, although Sheafe initially evaded arrest.

While law enforcement wasn’t able to apprehend him at that time, they recovered personal belongings left behind by Sheafe at the scene, which helped investigators later connect him to the pastor’s murder.

Sheafe had left his job in Oceanside, California, and arrived in Arizona earlier in the month with what authorities described as a religiously motivated mission. His movement through the area became more erratic in the final days of April.

Burglary Leads and Chase into the Wilderness

On the morning of April 29, police in Sedona responded to a call about a burglary in progress. Sheafe was observed on security footage inside the homeowner’s property before fleeing the location.

Neighbors described him wearing layered clothing, a cowboy hat, and black jogger pants, and said he was driving a red four-door truck. Bolt cutters were also seen in his possession during the incident.

Later that day, an officer spotted Sheafe and gave chase. The pursuit ended when Sheafe crashed into another vehicle and abandoned his truck, fleeing on foot into the Coconino National Forest.

Manhunt Ends with Arrest After Second Burglary

Despite an alert issued for his arrest, Sheafe evaded capture overnight. On April 30, a Sedona homeowner reported another break-in, spotting Sheafe via garage surveillance cameras around 6:22 p.m.

About 90 minutes later, police issued a detailed description, noting a distinctive neck tattoo spelling “YHWH” in Hebrew. Officers arrived shortly after, but he fled again, initiating a final foot pursuit.

By that evening, Sheafe was found inside the forest and taken into custody. He was booked into the Coconino County Detention Center in Flagstaff, facing several charges, including resisting arrest and assault with a weapon.

Extensive Criminal Background and Early Release

Adam Christopher Sheafe had a lengthy criminal history before this case. In 2013, he was arrested in Oro Valley for kidnapping, aggravated assault, and domestic violence.

In 2018, he was sentenced in federal court to 94 months for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, involving roughly $500,000 in unauthorized transactions using stolen information and false merchant accounts.

Though his original release date was scheduled for September 2026, Sheafe was freed in February 2023 after serving 51 months. He attempted to legally change his name the same year but was denied.

Father Speaks About Son’s Struggles and Regret

Sheafe’s father, Chris Sheafe, reportedly said his son had struggled with substance dependency following a motorcycle crash. He described a past marked by remorse and a willingness to work with authorities.

“We hadn’t talked in a while,” Chris said. “When I finally spoke with him, he told me he was very sorry and said to let the police talk to him and that he’d explain everything.”

According to his father, Sheafe’s readiness to confess was sincere, and he had indicated he would plead guilty and accept whatever legal consequences followed.

Authorities Assure Public of No Ongoing Threat

Authorities emphasized that Pastor Schonemann had no known involvement in any criminal activity. Captain David Lee reiterated that law enforcement had no credible information suggesting any direct link between the two men.

Lee also confirmed that although Sheafe acted alone, law enforcement had reached out to potential additional victims and were assisting with investigations tied to his alleged plans.

“This was a critical moment in our investigation,” said Lee, referencing the cooperation between Maricopa County and Sedona police. “Thanks to that collaboration, Sheafe was ultimately identified and arrested.”