Crime
18-Year-Old Killed in Shooting at Denny Dobbs Park During Senior Skip Day
NEWTON COUNTY, GA – Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon at Denny Dobbs Park.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) confirmed that an 18-year-old male, identified as Justin Etienne, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
The shooting took place between approximately 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. at the park, which was a gathering location for students participating in Senior Skip Day.
Reports indicate that students from two Rockdale County schools and one Newton County school had initially met at a park in Rockdale before relocating to Denny Dobbs Park.
It is unclear at this time whether the victim was a student.
The NCSO has not yet identified any suspects or determined a motive for the shooting. The case is now being treated as a homicide.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing first responders assisting potential victims, but the full scope of the incident remains under investigation.
As a precautionary measure, nearby Oak Hill Elementary School was placed on lockdown following the shooting.
The lockdown was lifted later in the evening, and students in the after-school academic program were dismissed at 6:00 p.m.
Authorities have assured the public that this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
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.