Shasta County DA’s Office appreciative of assistance from California DOJ
“A horrific crime solved, and the attacker sentenced to life, in part, because of the technology available today and the forensic scientists who work to find justice and peace for people who have suffered pain and anguish for decade upon decade. We must pursue solving cold cases such as this and share our appreciation for law enforcement and forensic professionals who work tirelessly to close cases and keep us safe from harm.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SHASTA COUNTY – On December 16, 2025, Roger Neil Schmidt Sr. was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole; 41 years and 2 days after he ambushed and shot Terrance (Terry) Arndt (18) and sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman, Arndt was with at the time. Arndt’s parents and brothers were both present at the sentencing, along with the confidential victim.
In his statement, Arndt’s brother, Tim, reflected on his brother’s life and lasting memory and expressed that he often wonders what kind of husband and father his brother would have become over the last 40 years.
In her statement, the confidential victim wrote, “The amount of trauma that this has left me with is immeasurable. Not to mention, the amount of loss and grief that Terry’s family experienced losing a son that night, especially in such a horrific way. That kind of loss and grief is unimaginable, and my heart still goes out to them to this day.”
On December 14, 1984, the female victim took a bus from the coast to visit and stay with family in Burney. She made plans to go out with her friend Arndt, who picked her up, and the two drove around before parking on Mountain View Road near Burney High School to talk. Arndt was in the driver’s seat, and the confidential victim was in the passenger seat. Approximately 10 minutes after they parked, a car drove past the driver’s side of Arndt’s car. Arndt then moved his car to another nearby dirt road. Again, the same car pulled behind the couple with its parking lights off. Without warning, the headlights turned on, and the car drove past them again. The couple both saw but did not know the driver.
After another 10–15 minutes, the same car approached again. As it passed, the driver flicked a cigarette at Arndt’s car. The car again drove by with its parking lights on. Approximately 15 minutes later, the driver’s side window of Arndt’s car suddenly exploded. Arndt yelled, “Get down!” and pulled his friend’s head into his lap, bending over her to protect her. When Arndt raised his head, he was then shot.
Suddenly, a man appeared at the passenger side of the car, yelling at the young woman to get out. He was armed with a gun and ordered her to walk up a hill away from the car. He followed her at gunpoint for approximately 50 feet before ordering her to remove her clothing. The suspect sexually assaulted the young woman multiple times. Following the sexual assault, he told her to pick up her clothes and return to the car.
The young woman returned to the car and lay on the passenger seat, expecting to be killed. Arndt had multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head.
On July 19, 2025, Schmidt was located using new DNA genealogy technology. He was interviewed by Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Richardson and Sergeant Duncan at the Tucson Police Department. After a skilled interrogation, Schmidt confessed to murdering Terry Arndt and sexually assaulting the confidential victim.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel and investigated by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office. Special thanks to lead investigator Robert Richardson from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and the Tucson Police Department for their assistance with the investigation. Additionally, thank you to CA DOJ DNA Lab. The victims in this case are being supported by Senior Victim Advocate Robyn Reger.
