Crime
Victims killed in shooting at Starkville Quality Inn identified
Both victims were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Starkville, MS — Two men were fatally shot Thursday morning in a violent altercation outside the Quality Inn, located at 403 MS-12.
The victims have been identified as Veshawn Williams, 25, of Columbus, and Robert Mayfield, 27, of Memphis.
According to the Starkville Police Department (SPD), the incident involved three individuals: a woman, her boyfriend, Williams, and her cousin, Mayfield.
Officials later confirmed that Williams was wanted by the Columbus Police Department on charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault. The woman’s identity has not been released.
Authorities received multiple 911 calls at 11:04 a.m. reporting a shooting at the Quality Inn.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds—one in the hotel parking lot and the other nearby at State Urgent Care.
Both victims were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center, where they succumbed to their injuries.
At a press conference, Sgt. Brandon Lovelady of the Starkville Police Department provided a timeline of events based on witness statements and security footage.
“At the time of the incident, all three individuals were inside a vehicle parked behind the Quality Inn,” Lovelady explained.
Williams, who was seated in the rear of the vehicle, exited and opened the front passenger door, where the woman was sitting.
Mayfield, who was driving, then got out and approached Williams on the passenger side, leading to a brief physical altercation between the three.
Mayfield then returned to the driver’s seat and attempted to drive away, leaving Williams outside the vehicle.
As the vehicle pulled away, Williams and Mayfield exchanged gunfire, with both sustaining fatal injuries.
Mayfield managed to drive to State Urgent Care, seeking medical assistance, while Williams remained behind the Quality Inn.
SPD confirmed that the woman involved was not injured during the shooting.
Authorities are working in coordination with the Columbus Police Department to establish a full timeline of events and determine how the individuals arrived in Starkville.
Sgt. Lovelady also addressed initial reports of an active shooter, clarifying that such rumors were false.
“Again, an argument escalated into gunfire,” Lovelady stated. “Initial reports suggested an active shooter situation, but those claims were later determined to be incorrect.”
The Starkville Police Department expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the community and the assistance of multiple agencies, including:
- State Urgent Care staff
- Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office
- Starkville Fire Department
- EMS personnel & 911 dispatchers
Authorities have not disclosed whether any charges will be filed, and the investigation remains ongoing. Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
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.