Roger Neil Schmidt. Photo source: KRCR
Today 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 and sexually assaulted the Confidential Victim. At the sentencing, Terry’s parents and brothers were both present. Terry’s brother, Tim, and the confidential victim both provided impact statements to the court.
In his statement, Tim held back tears as he reflected on his brother’s life and lasting memory. Tim said he often wonders what kind of husband and father Terry 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 Confidential Victim (female, age 18), took a bus from the coast to visit and stay with family in Burney. She made plans to go out with her friend Terry (Terrance Arndt, age 18). Terry picked her up, and the two drove around before parking on Mountain View Road near Burney High School to talk. Terry was in the driver’s seat, and the Confidential Victim sat in the passenger seat. Approximately ten minutes after they parked, a car drove past the driver’s side of Terry’s car. Terry then moved his car to another nearby dirt road. Again, the same car pulled behind them with its parking lights off. Without warning, the headlights turned on, and the car drove past them again. Terry and the Confidential Victim 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 Terry’s car. The car again drove by with its parking lights on. Approximately 15 minutes later, the driver’s side window of Terry’s car suddenly exploded. Terry yelled, “Get down!” and pulled the Confidential Victim’s head into his lap, bending over her to protect her. When Terry raised his head again, the Confidential Victim heard a gunshot and saw Terry jerk as if he had just been shot. Blood appeared on Terry’s shirt, he was unconscious, he began gurgling, and his hands started twitching.
Suddenly, a male appeared at the passenger side of the car, yelling at the Confidential Victim to get out. He was armed with a firearm. He 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 Confidential Victim multiple times. When he was finished, he told her to pick up her clothes and return to the car.
The Confidential Victim returned to the car and lay on the passenger seat, expecting to be killed. Terry 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.
