Crime
25-year-old Jaquez Myrick arrested in connection to Tuskegee University homecoming shooting, victim identified
Officials confirmed that 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, identified as a “non-university individual,” was killed in the shooting.
A suspect has been arrested following a shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University that left one person dead and 16 others injured, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation was alerted to reports of a shooting.
Jaquez Myrick, a 25-year-old from Montgomery, was apprehended at the scene, where authorities found him in possession of a handgun modified with a machine gun conversion device. Myrick has been charged federally with possession of a machine gun.
Officials confirmed that 18-year-old Latavion Johnson, identified as a “non-university individual,” was killed in the shooting.
Johnson’s family has been notified of his death. In addition to Johnson, 16 other people were injured during the incident; 12 sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospitals in Montgomery and Lee counties, while four others were injured in non-gunfire-related incidents.
Tuskegee University released a statement, confirming the incident and extending condolences to the family of the deceased.
They also stated that several injured individuals, including Tuskegee students, are currently receiving treatment at East Alabama Medical Center and Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery.
Campus law enforcement and local authorities have secured the area, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigations is actively investigating the incident. University officials have begun accountability checks and are notifying students’ families.
Tuskegee University has announced the cancellation of all classes on Monday, November 11, to allow for the ongoing investigation and scene processing.
Grief counselors will be available to students in the campus chapel. ALEA has requested public assistance in the investigation, asking anyone with information to submit tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI or upload digital files to the case at fbi.gov/tuskegeeshooting24.
The private institution, located in Macon County, is situated approximately 40 miles from Alabama’s capital, Montgomery.
The shooting follows Tuskegee University’s 100th homecoming celebrations on Saturday; however, it is unclear if the incident was related to these festivities.
Miles College, based in Fairfield, expressed sympathy in a statement on Sunday morning, offering support to the Tuskegee community during this difficult time.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.