Crime
Innocent Bystander Killed in Crossfire During Shooting at Alabama Western Hills Mall
FAIRFIELD, AL – An innocent bystander was fatally shot after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting inside the food court at Western Hills Mall in Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Darin Marquese Hall, 32, of Birmingham.
The deadly gunfire erupted around 5 p.m. Sunday at the Fairfield shopping center, located on Aaron Aronov Drive.
This marks the third fatal shooting at Western Hills Mall since 2018.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts indicate that the altercation began between three individuals inside the food court, where approximately a dozen people were either seated at tables or in line ordering food.
According to the video, one man, with his hand tucked under his shirt, stood on one side of the food court, while the other two men were positioned on the opposite side. As one of the two men moved closer, the first pulled a firearm and opened fire.
The advancing man collapsed to the ground but managed to get back up and stumbled away, appearing to be injured. The third individual then returned fire before fleeing the scene.
As shots rang out, mall patrons scrambled for cover—customers at nearby tables ducked while some ran for safety, and a woman dropped to the floor.
Hall, who had been standing in line, was among those who tried to flee but was struck by gunfire.
A Fairfield firefighter, who happened to be at the food court, rushed to Hall’s aid, using a towel to apply pressure to his wound, as seen in a video that was later removed from social media.
Hall was transported to Princeton Baptist Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:33 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates.
A 21-year-old man, believed to be one of the individuals involved in the altercation, was also wounded and taken to UAB Hospital. His condition has not been released.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and as of Monday, no arrests have been announced.
Sheriff Mark Pettway vowed to use all available resources to hold those responsible accountable.
“My main concern is keeping the citizens of Jefferson County safe,” Pettway stated. “As a result of this brazen act of violence, an innocent person has died.”
Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny expressed his condolences to Hall’s family and urged the community to end the cycle of violence.
“We offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Mr. Hall and are praying for the injured person,” Penny said. “We encourage all to put the guns down and stop the killing in our neighborhoods.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
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.