Crime
27-year-old Janaha Smith killed in Fayetteville shooting, suspect Shyheem McCall in custody
The Fayetteville Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 9, leaving one woman dead and a suspect in custody.
At approximately 3:17 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 2800 block of Gillespie Street.
Upon arrival, they discovered 27-year-old Janaha Smith, a Fayetteville resident, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite emergency efforts, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrested 24-year-old Shyheem McCall, also of Fayetteville, at the location.
He has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held without bond.
McCall is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Cumberland County Court.
Investigators have confirmed that Smith and McCall were acquainted, and the shooting is believed to have been a targeted incident rather than a random act of violence.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact Detective A. Wolford at 910-705-2141.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477), visiting fay-nccrimestoppers.org, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.
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.