Crime
Aramark Regional Vice President Tiru Chabba Identified as Second Victim in FSU Mass Shooting
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) continues to treat victims of the tragic mass shooting that occurred Thursday at Florida State University, which claimed the lives of two individuals and left six others injured.
Hospital officials confirmed that several victims arrived with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Three patients required emergency surgery.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, two of the victims were expected to be discharged later in the day.
Three others are showing signs of recovery, while one patient remains in fair condition.
All are expected to make a full recovery.
The two deceased victims have been identified as food service employees at FSU.
One of them, Robert Morales, was a campus dining worker originally from Miami-Dade County.
His family confirmed his death in a heartfelt message on social media, stating, “Today we lost my younger Brother. He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter.”
The second victim has been identified as Tiru Chabba, Regional Vice President for Aramark’s Southeast Division.
Chabba had been with Aramark for more than 25 years, starting as a student manager in 2000 at Coastal Carolina University and rising through the ranks to become a respected leader in collegiate hospitality.
In a company-wide message, Aramark expressed its profound sorrow over the loss:
“It is with deep sadness that I share the news that our beloved Tiru Chabba was a victim of the mass shooting today at Florida State University. For over 25 years, Tiru has been a part of the Aramark family. This senseless act robbed us of a valued colleague and friend, and a family of their treasured husband and father.”
“Tiru was a trusted colleague and a good, good friend. He was admired by colleagues and clients alike. I will miss Tiru badly. Simply put, I am heartbroken.”
Aramark also confirmed they are offering support to Chabba’s family and providing resources to employees processing the loss.
TMH expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support shown to its emergency, trauma, and nursing teams, stating,
“We are honored to be the hospital providing care to these patients.”
The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that Ikner is the son of a veteran deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
In a press release Friday morning, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell stated:
“Our hearts are with the victims, families, students, and larger Florida State University community in the wake of this tragedy. What occurred today was a heinous and despicable act of violence. Sadly, as a result of this shooting, two adult males were killed, and five other victims were injured by gunfire. An eighth individual sustained injuries while fleeing the scene.”
Chief Revell added that the crime scenes have been processed and that the investigation remains ongoing.
“TPD is committed to bringing justice to the victims in this case,” he said.
Florida State University will hold a vigil Friday evening at Langford Green to honor the lives lost and those affected.
Mental health resources and counseling services are being made available to students at the Askew Student Life Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
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.