California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services in Richmond assisted with investigation
“Cold cases are coming to a close as investigators turn to technology and science for assistance with evidence that has been preserved over the years. It is important to thank those who are helping to bring to justice those responsible for crimes such as these.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SHASTA COUNTY – On July 23, 2025, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Roger Neil Schmidt Sr., for the murder of an 18-year-old man and the rape of an 18-year-old woman in eastern Shasta County on December 14, 1984.
On December 14, 1984 at approximately 11:25 p.m., sheriff’s deputies found a vehicle parked in the roadway with a male gunshot victim inside. That gunshot victim was identified as Terrance (Terry) Arndt. Also at the scene, was a young woman who reported she had been raped.
Arndt was transported by medical crews to a local hospital, but he did not survive.
As the investigation unfolded it was learned earlier that night, Arndt and the female victim were parked in his vehicle talking on Mountain View Road, near Burney High School. An unknown person pulled up in a vehicle. Arndt nor the female knew who this person was. At this time, Arndt was shot while he covered the female victim to protect her.
A male armed with a gun appeared and sexually assaulted the female victim multiple times. The suspect then left the scene. With Arndt badly hurt, the female drove the car, with Arndt inside, for help.
At the time of this crime, an extensive investigation was conducted by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office. Over 40 years, and thousands of hours were spent trying to solve these crimes.
Last year the case was revisited and utilizing new DNA techniques known as Forensic Genetic Genealogy through a company called OTHRAM, there was a breakthrough. Once further testing on the DNA was conducted, the suspect was identified as Roger Neil Schmidt Sr., who was 23 at the time of crime. Detectives determined he lived in Burney at the time of the murder. He strongly resembled the sketch originally provided by the female victim.
It was discovered that Schmidt was residing in Tucson, Arizona. On July 16, 2025, detectives from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, joined by a Senior Deputy District Attorney from the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office travelled to Tucson.
Detectives coordinated with the Tucson Police Department (TPD). DNA from Schmidt was collected pursuant to a search warrant and immediately submitted to TPD’s forensic lab. The DNA was compared to the evidence collected from the female victim the night she was assaulted. On the night of July 17, 2025, it was confirmed the DNA matched suspect Schmidt’s profile.
On July 18, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued by a Shasta County Superior Court judge for the arrest of Schmidt.
On July 19, 2025, Roger Neil Schmidt, Sr. was arrested, interviewed by detectives, and subsequently booked into the Pima County Jail for the murder of Terry Arndt and the sexual assault of the female victim.
Custody staff is currently working on extraditing Schmidt to Shasta County.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office extended its appreciation to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, the Tucson Police Department, Othram Forensic Genealogy of Houston, Texas, and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services in Richmond for their assistance in bringing some measure of closure to the victims and their loved ones who have waited four decades for justice.
