Crime
Bessemer Police Arrest Suspect in Random Birmingham Road Rage Shootings
Bessemer, AL – February 13, 2025 – The Bessemer Police Department has arrested a violent suspect following multiple road rage shooting incidents in eastern Birmingham.
Authorities say the suspect, identified as Demario Ladell Keith, had been randomly opening fire on motorists while driving a black Nissan Maxima.
The Birmingham Police Department (BPD) began investigating multiple social media reports regarding a suspect firing at vehicles in various locations across eastern Birmingham.
As part of their efforts, detectives were able to identify and locate the suspect’s vehicle.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., BPD detectives spotted the black Nissan Maxima in the parking lot of Walmart in Bessemer.
Recognizing the need for immediate backup, they contacted the Bessemer Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for assistance.
When officers arrived on the scene, the suspect attempted to flee, leading authorities on a short vehicle pursuit before abandoning his car and fleeing on foot.
A large-scale search operation was quickly launched, with multiple law enforcement agencies from Bessemer, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Hoover, and Fairfield collaborating to establish a secure perimeter around the area.
Keith was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities confirm that Keith was armed at the time of his arrest. He now faces a series of serious charges, including:
- Multiple counts of drug trafficking
- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person
- Felony attempt to elude law enforcement
- Additional drug-related offenses
Bessemer Police urge anyone with additional information related to this case to contact their Criminal Investigations Division at (205) 481-4366 or Bessemer Police at (205) 425-2411. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Bessemer Police tip line at (205) 428-3541.
Authorities continue to investigate the extent of Keith’s involvement in the series of road rage shootings, as well as any additional crimes he may have committed prior to his arrest.
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.