Fact Check: "Sheafe intended to murder two more religious leaders after Schonemann."
What We Know
Adam Christopher Sheafe, a 51-year-old suspect, confessed to the murder of Pastor Bill Schonemann, a 76-year-old religious leader in Arizona, stating that he had a broader plan to kill additional religious figures. In a jailhouse interview, Sheafe claimed he had a list of 14 religious leaders he intended to target, describing his actions as part of a divine mission he called "Operation First Commandment" (NDTV, Independent). Following the murder of Schonemann, Sheafe admitted to traveling to Sedona, Arizona, with the intent to kill two more religious leaders (Fox News, Fox 10 Phoenix).
Sheafe's confession included details about his belief that he was punishing religious leaders for misleading their followers. He specifically mentioned that he had followed a priest home after Easter services with the intent to kill him before committing the murder of Schonemann (Independent, Fox 10 Phoenix).
Analysis
The claim that Sheafe intended to murder two more religious leaders after Schonemann is supported by multiple credible sources. In his interviews, Sheafe explicitly stated his plans to continue his violent acts against religious figures, indicating that his murderous spree was not limited to Schonemann alone. His admission of targeting additional leaders reinforces the seriousness of his intentions and the premeditated nature of his actions (NDTV, Fox News).
The sources reporting on this story, including major news outlets like NDTV, Fox News, and the Independent, have established credibility through their journalistic standards and practices. They have provided consistent accounts of Sheafe's confessions and the context surrounding the murder, which adds to the reliability of the information. The chilling nature of Sheafe's statements, combined with the corroborating details from law enforcement, further solidifies the claim that he had plans for further violence (Independent, Fox 10 Phoenix).
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The evidence clearly indicates that Adam Christopher Sheafe intended to murder two more religious leaders after the killing of Pastor Bill Schonemann. His own admissions during interviews and the context of his actions confirm that he had a broader plan for violence against religious figures, making the claim accurate.
