Crime
Man killed after shooting in Northwest Jacksonville
A man in his 30s was fatally shot early Tuesday morning in Jacksonville’s Grand Park neighborhood, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. at a residence on Division Street.
JSO officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting and discovered the victim lying in the driveway of the residence with a gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene.
His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
Sergeant Lloyd of the JSO Homicide Unit briefed reporters, stating, “The circumstances and relationships of those involved are currently unknown. This investigation is pending classification.”
Three people present at the scene were detained by police and are being questioned to determine their potential involvement or knowledge of the incident.
Investigators are working to establish whether there was an argument or altercation leading up to the shooting.
A weapon has not yet been recovered.
Investigators are in the process of obtaining a search warrant to gather further evidence from the property.
The JSO is urging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted through the following channels:
- JSO Crime Tips: Call 904-630-0500
- Email: JSO Crime Tips at jacksheriff.org
- Crimestoppers: Call 1-866-845-TIPS for anonymous reporting
The investigation remains active, and further details will be released as they become available.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of community cooperation in resolving this case.
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.