Crime
Two Dead, One Injured in Northfield Township Shooting and Abduction; Three Suspects Charged
Three suspects, all from Detroit, have been taken into custody.
A violent incident on Wednesday night in Northfield Township has left two people dead, one injured, and two children briefly abducted.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three suspects in connection with the crime, which authorities describe as a targeted attack.
Police were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to a residence on Nollar Bend Road, near US-23, in response to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered:
- Jennifer Bernhard, 50, and Stevie Ray Smith, 74, deceased from gunshot wounds.
- Jeffrey Alan Bernhard, 53, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital and is now in stable condition.
During the attack, two young girls, aged 7 and 4, were abducted from the home. With assistance from Michigan State Police and Ann Arbor Police, the children were located safely in Ypsilanti Township.
Both were taken to the hospital, where their conditions remain undisclosed but are reported to be stable.
Three suspects, all from Detroit, have been taken into custody:
- Shuvonne Vinson, 42
- Gregory Callhan, 37
- Keith Finley, 60
The suspects face an extensive list of charges, including:
- Two counts of open murder
- One count of assault with intent to murder
- Two counts of child kidnapping
- Conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping
- Home invasion
- Weapons-related offenses
Additional charges against Vinson include assaulting police officers and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Finley faces an extra charge for possession of a firearm as an ineligible person.
Vinson and Callhan were arraigned Friday and denied bond, while Finley will face arraignment Saturday.
All three suspects remain in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail.
During her arraignment, Vinson caused a disruption, shouting profanities and justifying her actions. “Them [expletive] deserved to die,” she yelled, referring to the victims.
Authorities have confirmed that the abducted children were foster children residing with the Bernhard family. One of the suspects is reportedly a relative of one of the children.
The tragic events have shaken the Northfield Township community. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the Bernhard family during this difficult time.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the motives and circumstances surrounding the incident. Sheriff’s deputies have assured the public that there is no further danger.
This shocking case highlights the need for continued vigilance and community support in the wake of such a targeted and violent crime. Additional updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.
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.