Crime
Four Dead, Including Suspect, Following Officer-Involved Shooting and SWAT Response in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A complex and tragic series of events early Friday morning in St. Louis has left four people dead, including a suspect, after an officer-involved shooting and a SWAT deployment during a barricade situation, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).
At approximately 4:20 a.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 5100 block of Wells Avenue, where they discovered a man deceased from multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch of a residence.
The scene was immediately secured, and detectives launched a homicide investigation. A search warrant was obtained to allow law enforcement to enter the home in search of ballistic evidence.
In light of the developing situation, officers requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
At around 7:00 a.m., a man exited the residence and briefly spoke with a homicide detective and an ATF special agent, before retreating back inside the home.
He soon reemerged armed with a rifle and opened fire on officers. In response, both the officer and agent returned fire.
The suspect then retreated into the house once more.
A call for “Officer in Need of Aid” and reports of a disturbance were made around this time, prompting police to shut down the surrounding streets and deploy hostage negotiators along with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
By approximately 9:00 a.m., SWAT officers made entry into the home and secured the scene. Inside, they located three deceased individuals:
- The suspected shooter, found dead near the entrance of the home;
- A woman, discovered deceased in the living room;
- A man, found deceased in the basement.
In total, four people were pronounced dead: the original victim found on the porch and the three individuals located inside the residence.
One of the victims has been tentatively identified by family and social media posts as Anthony, also referred to by the hashtag #LongLiveUncleSnaccs.
The names and ages of the other victims have not yet been released, and the timing and exact causes of death remain under investigation.
No officers or federal agents were injured during the incident.
Authorities have launched two parallel investigations:
- A homicide investigation into the deaths at the scene,
- And a force investigation into the officer-involved shooting, in accordance with departmental policy.
The officer who discharged his weapon is 28 years old and has served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for three years.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact SLMPD Homicide Division or CrimeStoppers.
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.