Crime
Woman Killed in Apparent Murder-Suicide Just Hours After Filing Protection Order in Lincoln
Lincoln, NE – A 21-year-old woman was fatally shot in an apparent murder-suicide just hours after filing a protection order against her alleged abuser, according to the Lincoln Police Department (LPD).
Authorities responded to reports of a domestic disturbance near 84th and Sandalwood at approximately 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, where a woman was struck by a vehicle and later shot multiple times.
According to police, Michelle Gonzalez, 21, was walking in the area when Ibrahim Alhamadani, 28, struck her with a black vehicle.
Two young women who witnessed the incident intervened, helping Gonzalez into their car and attempting to drive away.
However, Alhamadani pursued them for several blocks before intentionally crashing into their vehicle, causing it to spin out into a yard.
He then exited his vehicle, approached the car, and opened fire on Gonzalez, shooting her multiple times in the head, chest, and abdomen, according to police.
Neither of the good Samaritans who assisted Gonzalez were injured in the attack.
First responders arrived to find Alhamadani dead at the scene from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Gonzalez was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but was later pronounced dead.
Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow confirmed that just hours before the shooting, Gonzalez had filed for and been granted a protection order against Alhamadani.
In the filing, Gonzalez detailed incidents of domestic violence, including an attack earlier that morning, where Alhamadani allegedly beat her with a pistol while intoxicated.
The protection order also cited two additional recent incidents of abuse.
Authorities stated that the protection order had not yet been served to Alhamadani, and it remains unclear how the two encountered each other prior to the shooting.
“The protection order was filed, and it was granted,” Chief Morrow stated Friday. “There is a gap in time that is very small—probably around two hours or less—between when we know she was safe and a safety plan had been created, to when the incident occurred on 84th Street.”
Although the suspect is deceased, LPD remains committed to investigating the events leading up to the shooting, both for the sake of Gonzalez’s family and to further understand the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
This tragic case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the critical need for intervention and support.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or needing support is urged to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org for confidential assistance.
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.