Crime
21-year-old Garrett Elliott killed in Fayetteville shooting
Fayetteville, NC – A 21-year-old man was fatally shot in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon, according to the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD).
Authorities reported that the incident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. in the 2200 block of Stanton Street.
Upon receiving reports of gunfire, officers promptly responded to the scene, where they discovered an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel arrived and provided immediate life-saving measures before transporting the victim to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
Despite their efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The victim has been identified as Garrett Elliott, 21, of Fayetteville.
Police confirmed that his next of kin have been notified.
The Fayetteville Police Department has not released any information regarding potential suspects or motives at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this incident to come forward. Individuals can contact Detective J. Smith with the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1851. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) or online at fay-nccrimestoppers.org.
Further 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.