Crime
21-Year-Old man killed in officer-involved shooting in Rock Island
The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson has confirmed the death of a 21-year-old man following an officer-involved shooting on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Rock Island County Coroner identified the victim as 21-year-old Jakarta Jackson. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Jackson died from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the Rock Island Police Department, the incident unfolded at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the area of 12th Street and 24th Avenue:
- An officer attempted to detain a “suspicious individual.”
- The man reportedly fled on foot when approached.
- Police say the man then entered the driver’s seat of a running car in an attempt to escape.
- As the officer tried to remove him from the vehicle, the man allegedly drove the car forward, which police claim dragged the officer.
- The officer fired at the man, striking him multiple times.
Both the man and the officer were transported to a local hospital:
- The man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
- The officer was treated for injuries and later released.
Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud immediately requested the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force to investigate the use of deadly force. This task force comprises local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure impartial investigations of officer-involved incidents.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to Coroner Gustafson.
Several witnesses at the scene have expressed skepticism about the police account of the events.
Unverified claims allege:
- The officer was not visibly injured or dragged.
- The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
- Children, reportedly the man’s son and nephew, were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses also dispute the timeline provided by authorities, asserting that the man died at the scene and was not transported to the hospital alive.
The incident has sparked significant outrage within the community, with calls for transparency and accountability. Witnesses and community members have accused law enforcement of attempting to cover up the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force has taken over the investigation. They are expected to examine all evidence, including body camera footage and witness statements, to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information or video footage is urged to contact the task force directly. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
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.