Crime
Father Charged After 11-Year-Old Son Fatally Shot in North St. Louis County
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The St. Louis County Police Department is investigating a tragic shooting that claimed the life of 11-year-old Marshaun Futrell Jr., also known as “Legend,” on Monday evening.
The child’s father, Marshaun Futrell Sr., has been arrested and formally charged in connection with the fatal incident.
According to officials, officers from the North County Precinct were dispatched to the 1800 block of Longford Drive at approximately 8:14 p.m. in response to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located the young boy suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, but despite lifesaving efforts, the child was pronounced deceased.
During the investigation, police interviewed a 13-year-old witness who stated that Marshaun Jr. had been in possession of two firearms concealed in his backpack.
The witness told authorities that the boy had been playing with the weapons when one of them accidentally discharged, striking him.
A subsequent search of the residence uncovered a total of 12 firearms—many of which were loaded and unsecured.
Police also noted that a 2-year-old child was present in the home at the time of the incident, further raising serious safety concerns.
As a result of the investigation, 38-year-old Marshaun Futrell Sr. has been charged with first-degree child endangerment resulting in death, as well as two additional counts of first-degree child endangerment.
He is currently being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
The St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons continues to lead the investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information related to this case to contact the St. Louis County Police Department or CrimeStoppers.
Our deepest condolences are with the family and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.
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.