Crime
16-Year-Old Davenport West High School Student Fatally Shot in Rock Island
School officials have confirmed that 16-year-old Jentrell Lee, who tragically lost his life in a shooting Sunday evening, was a student at Davenport West High School.
In the wake of Jentrell’s passing, the Davenport School District has arranged for counselors to be available for students and staff throughout the week.
The district is working to provide emotional support to those affected by this devastating news.
The Rock Island County Coroner, Brian Gustafson, identified Jentrell as the victim. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the exact cause of death.
The Rock Island Police Department is leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
According to a media release, officers were alerted at approximately 8:21 p.m. Sunday when an unidentified individual dropped Jentrell off at UnityPoint-Trinity hospital.
Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.
Authorities confirmed no additional injuries were reported. However, no arrests have been made, and details surrounding the shooting remain limited.
On Sunday evening, a significant police presence was observed near 17th Street and 20th Avenue in Rock Island, where authorities confirmed an active shooting investigation was underway.
The Rock Island Police Department is urging anyone with information about this case to come forward. Individuals can contact the Rock Island Police Department directly at 309-732-2677 or reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500 or through the P3 Tips app.
The community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes for justice as investigators work to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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.