Crime
Birmingham Police Investigate Deadly Shooting That Injured 12-Year-Old Boy
Birmingham, AL – The Birmingham Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 20-year-old man and left two others injured, including a 12-year-old boy.
The shooting occurred around 9:35 p.m. on Friday in the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Officers from the department’s South Precinct responded to reports of gunfire and a person shot.
Upon arrival, officers were directed to a backyard in the 300 block of Iota Avenue, where they found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services transported him to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He was later pronounced dead on Saturday morning.
Authorities have identified the deceased as Dorian Jackson, 20, of Birmingham.
Shortly after, police were notified that two additional gunshot victims—a woman and a 12-year-old boy—had arrived at Princeton Hospital in a private vehicle. The child also sustained life-threatening injuries.
Investigators believe all three victims had traveled to the location to meet someone when they were shot, possibly while inside their vehicle.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and police are actively searching for suspects.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Birmingham Police Department at 205-254-1764.
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.