Crime
Shooting at North Hills Leaves One Dead, Two Injured, Coquette Brasserie Chef Among Victims
Both injured individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
UPDATE: Raleigh police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at the North Hills shopping plaza on Friday morning.
At approximately 11:00 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 4300 block of The Circle at North Hills Street.
During a press conference held around 12:50 p.m., police provided details of the incident:
A man entered Coquette Brasserie, a French restaurant within the plaza, and shot another man. The victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The gunman then turned the weapon on himself, inflicting critical injuries. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.
A third man standing nearby was struck during the incident and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have stated that the shooting does not appear to be random, suggesting a potential connection between the individuals involved.
This remains an active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Raleigh Police Department. The public is also advised to avoid the area as police continue to process the scene.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Raleigh police are investigating a tragic shooting at North Hills Shopping Center that left one man dead and two others injured on Friday morning.
The incident occurred at Coquette Brasserie, a French restaurant located in the heart of the shopping center on The Circle at North Hills Street.
The shooting unfolded shortly before 11:00 a.m. when an individual entered Coquette Brasserie and opened fire, striking the restaurant’s chef and two other men.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another man sustained critical injuries, while a third suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
Both injured individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Police have clarified that this is not an active shooter situation, but they have urged the public to stay clear of the area.
By 11:00 a.m., a massive law enforcement presence had converged on the shopping center. Over 20 police vehicles were reported at the scene, and officers were seen with guns drawn as they secured the area.
Ambulances transported victims, and witnesses described seeing people carried out of the restaurant by police.
The investigation appears to be focused on Coquette Brasserie, where the shooting took place.
Witnesses reported seeing patrons and staff fleeing the restaurant, some visibly injured. Blood was reportedly seen near the restaurant’s entrance.
The shooting caused widespread disruption in the surrounding area:
- Shopping Center Access: North Hills shopping center is completely inaccessible, with all entrances and exits blocked.
- Nearby Schools on Lockdown:
- Carroll Middle School: Placed on a Code Red lockdown, meaning students are confined to classrooms.
- Green Magnet Elementary School: Under a Code Yellow lockdown, restricting access to the building while maintaining operations inside.
- At least four additional schools are also under lockdown precautions.
- Traffic Impact:
- Six Forks Road: Closed in both directions near the shopping center, with additional crashes complicating traffic in the area.
- Lassiter Mill Road: Also blocked in both directions.
Parents have been advised not to attempt to retrieve their children from schools during the lockdown.
Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots near the front of the shopping center, close to REI, Firebirds, and Coquette Brasserie. Some reported chaos as people ran for safety.
Authorities have not released information regarding a suspect or motive.
Police continue to investigate the scene, and the public is asked to avoid the area until further notice.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more details emerge. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Raleigh Police Department.
If you were in the area or witnessed the incident, please submit tips to Raleigh police or call the local crime stoppers hotline.
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.