Crime
3 people found dead at Abberly Crossing Apartment in Ladson, suspect dies by suicide
North Charleston Police are conducting an investigation into two interconnected incidents in Ladson that tragically left four people dead on Wednesday evening.
The initial shooting was reported at approximately 4:41 p.m. at the Abberly Crossing Apartment complex, located in the 9600 block of Patriots Boulevard.
According to police spokesman Harve Jacobs, officers responded to reports of a suspect exiting a residence armed with an AR-style rifle.
Witnesses reported that the suspect physically assaulted one individual and fatally shot three others before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was described as wearing a helmet and body armor.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered three victims who had succumbed to gunshot wounds. Their identities have not yet been released.
Witnesses at the scene provided police with a description of the suspect’s vehicle, enabling officers to track it to a second residence in the 4000 block of Briarstone Court.
As officers investigated the suspect’s vehicle at the second location, the suspect exited the residence holding a 5-year-old child.
Officers confronted the suspect at gunpoint, prompting him to place the child safely on the ground.
Moments later, the suspect turned the firearm on himself, sustaining fatal injuries.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho confirmed that the suspect was related to the three victims found at the initial scene.
The North Charleston Police Department, in collaboration with the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Additional details, including the identities of the victims and suspect, will be released as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the North Charleston Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
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.