The Cottonwood Police Department has released drone footage intended to aid the Sedona Police Department and Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies. This comes after the arrest of Adam Christopher Seafe, a 50-year-old suspect in a murder and robbery case, on April 30th in Sedona’s Chapel area.
Seafe had abandoned a stolen truck from Cave Creek on April 29. The Sedona Police Department later learned from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office that Seafe was connected to the murder of Rev. Bill Shaneman, a 76-year-old found dead on April 28.
Seafe was recently interviewed by a local news outlet while at the Coconino County Detention Center. During the interview, he reportedly expressed intentions to kill 13 other pastors throughout the country, including one in Sedona, though he did not specify who. While he has not been charged with murder in Maricopa County, he remains the key suspect in the case.
The victim, Shaneman, was discovered deceased in his home on Calvary Road on the evening of April 28. A press conference held by the Maricopa County Sheriff on June 12 officially linked Seafe to Shaneman’s murder, which authorities described as both tragic and peculiar. Though it was indicated that the crime had religious implications, further details were not disclosed.
Sheridan, the Maricopa County Sheriff, mentioned that there were plans for additional future attacks, some of which would occur in Arizona. However, specifics about why Seafe was camping near the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which hosts three churches and synagogues, were not provided.
As of now, Seafe has not been charged in Maricopa County and is being held at the Coconino County Detention Center.
Sedona’s Robbery
On April 29, Sedona officials responded to a robbery report at around 9:50 AM. The homeowner on Rufous Lane reported seeing male suspects in the area.
Witnesses described the suspect as a white male wearing a long white-sleeved shirt and a cowboy hat, along with a bright blue short-sleeved shirt and black jogger pants. He entered the property at 9:34 AM and fled by 9:53 AM in a red truck with a cover over the bed while carrying bolt cutters.
According to Commander Christopher Dowell, Sedona police officers spotted Seafe driving the truck later that afternoon, prompting them to pursue southbound on Route 179. Seafe allegedly weaved through traffic and even collided with other vehicles, but law enforcement decided to discontinue the chase for safety reasons.
Seafe managed to escape into the wilderness near Yavapai Point Trailhead. Police later discovered the truck had been reported stolen.
On the evening of April 30, around 6:22 PM, officers responded to another robbery at a short-term rental on Gambel Lane. A homeowner monitoring their security cameras saw Seafe rummaging through the garage, which coincided with a similar robbery reported the previous day.
Arrested by SPD
Later, Sedona police issued an alert about the suspect at 7:58 PM on April 30, describing him as a tall white male. By the time officers arrived, Seafe had already fled. They quickly set up a perimeter and initiated a search, calling in more personnel given Seafe’s previous history.
Authorities believed he was camping in the area. They eventually located his campsite, and by about 9:20 PM, members of the Quick Response Team found him hidden in thick brush.
Seafe attempted to flee again, leading police on foot through the challenging terrain of Coconino National Forest. Ultimately, a drone helped track him down in a residential area where he was apprehended safely, using a Taser with assistance from Yavapai County deputies.
Night vision video with infrared camera:
Same video shot with visible light camera:
Seafe now faces multiple charges, including second-degree robbery, fleeing from law enforcement, and several theft-related offenses. He was arrested on May 1, charged on May 8, and remains at Coconino County Detention Center.
