Crime
Donte Lamont Brown identified as suspect in Compton drive-by shooting that killed woman and daughter
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Compton man suspected of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend and her daughter in a drive-by attack at a stoplight earlier this week.
The victims, La’von Hall, 45, and her daughter, Ma’Laysia Martin, 22, were shot and killed around 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of Caldwell Street and South Central Avenue.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has identified the suspect as 41-year-old Donte Lamont Brown, a resident of Compton.
Authorities say Brown, described as armed and dangerous, remains at large, and detectives have exhausted all leads in their search.
On Thursday, LASD issued a public appeal for information on Brown’s whereabouts, urging anyone with knowledge of his location to come forward.
According to investigators, Brown frequents the Compton and Long Beach areas and was last seen fleeing the crime scene southbound on South Central Avenue.
Deputies responded to the scene around 7 p.m. Tuesday, where they discovered Hall lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
Martin, also suffering from gunshot wounds, was found in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Despite emergency efforts, both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say Brown pulled up alongside the victims’ vehicle at a stoplight and opened fire, striking both Hall and Martin.
Hall attempted to exit the car but collapsed on the ground. The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle.
While an official motive remains under investigation, Compton City Councilmember Jonathan Bowers indicated that the shooting appears to be a case of domestic violence.
Further details regarding Brown’s relationship with Hall or previous incidents remain unclear.
Anyone with information on Donte Lamont Brown’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Authorities stress that Brown should not be approached and encourage anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately.
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.