Crime
At least 1 person stabbed at University of Virginia, attacker detained
Charlottesville, VA – At least one person has been stabbed following reports of an active attacker armed with a knife near the University of Virginia (UVA) on Emmet Street South, prompting an emergency response and a campus-wide shelter-in-place order.
The University of Virginia Police Division (UVAPD) issued an urgent alert after receiving reports of a male suspect wielding a knife near Alumni Hall.
Authorities classified the situation as an “active attacker” incident, urging students and faculty to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” as part of their emergency protocol.
Initial descriptions of the suspect provided by UVA officials indicated a white male wearing a red hoodie and blue sweatpants.
However, an updated description later identified the attacker as a middle-aged white male wearing a white shirt, blue pants, and white shoes.
As law enforcement responded to the scene, UVA Police instructed all members of the campus community to shelter in place and immediately call 911 if they encountered the suspect.
Authorities have not yet released details on the condition of the stabbing victim(s) or whether additional individuals were harmed in the attack.
Law enforcement officers remain actively engaged in securing the area and investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. It remains unclear whether the attacker has been taken into custody.
Students, faculty, and Charlottesville residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow updates from UVAPD and university officials. Anyone with information related to the suspect’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact UVA Police immediately.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
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.