Crime
Suspect Jayden Dandridge in Fatal Downtown Memphis Shooting Found Dead in Houston, Second Suspect Still at Large
MEMPHIS, TN – One of the suspects wanted in connection with a deadly downtown Memphis shooting that injured Houston rapper Sauce Walka has been found dead in Houston, authorities confirmed.
The Memphis Police Department announced Monday that 21-year-old Jayden Dandridge, who was facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, was discovered deceased.
Details regarding the circumstances of his death have not yet been released.
Dandridge was one of two suspects identified in the March 22 shooting outside the Westin Hotel on Lt. George W. Lee Avenue near the FedEx Forum.
Officers responded to the scene around 2:42 p.m. and discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds.
One victim, 27-year-old Leteroian Hunt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second victim, Houston rapper Sauce Walka, whose real name is Albert Walker Mondane, 34, sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and survived.
Following the shooting, Memphis police released surveillance footage and issued a warrant for Dandridge’s arrest.
With his death confirmed, authorities are now focused on locating the second suspect, 22-year-old Kevin Brown.
Brown is wanted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and theft of property valued between $10,000 and $60,000.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding Brown’s whereabouts to contact Memphis Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH or submit an anonymous tip.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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.