Fact Check: Sheafe intended to kill religious leaders in cities from Las Vegas to New York.

Fact Check: "Sheafe intended to kill religious leaders in cities from Las Vegas to New York."

What We Know

Adam Christopher Sheafe, the primary suspect in the murder of Pastor William Schonemann in Arizona, has made several alarming admissions regarding his intentions to kill multiple religious leaders across the United States. In a series of interviews, Sheafe claimed that he had planned to execute a total of 14 pastors or priests whom he accused of misleading their congregations. He specifically mentioned cities including Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Billings, Montana; Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Beaumont, Texas; and El Paso, Texas as part of his intended targets (Christian Post, Independent, ABC15).

Sheafe's confession included graphic details about the murder of Pastor Schonemann, whom he claimed to have crucified and adorned with a crown of thorns. He expressed no remorse for his actions and indicated a desire to continue his violent spree had he not been apprehended (Fox 10 Phoenix, Newsweek).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Sheafe intended to kill religious leaders in various cities is substantial and comes from multiple credible sources. His own admissions during interviews provide a direct account of his intentions and motivations. For instance, Sheafe stated, "From there, it was Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Billings, Montana; Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York..." detailing a clear plan for violence against religious figures (Independent, ABC15).

The reliability of these sources is bolstered by the nature of the interviews, which were conducted by established news organizations and corroborated by law enforcement statements. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that Sheafe's actions were "religious in nature," adding credibility to his claims about targeting religious leaders (Christian Post).

However, it is essential to note that while Sheafe's statements reflect his intentions, they also stem from a disturbed individual who may have a skewed perception of his actions. Nonetheless, the consistency across various reports and the specific mention of multiple cities and targets lend weight to the claim that he had a broader plan to kill religious leaders across the country.

Conclusion

The claim that "Sheafe intended to kill religious leaders in cities from Las Vegas to New York" is True. Sheafe's own admissions, supported by law enforcement and multiple news reports, confirm that he had a premeditated plan to murder at least 14 pastors or priests across various states, including the cities mentioned in the claim.

Fact Check: Sheafe intended to kill religious leaders in cities from Las Vegas to New York.