Crime
34-Year-Old Demontra Collins Charged in Chattanooga Homicide After Calling 911 Following Fatal Shooting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A Chattanooga man has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting Wednesday afternoon that police say stemmed from an earlier dispute and resulted in both individuals exchanging gunfire.
According to the Chattanooga Police Department, 34-year-old Demontra Quintez Collins has been arrested and charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death of 27-year-old Jamel Daeshun Sutton.
The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of North Hickory Street.
Responding officers located Sutton behind an apartment building suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.
He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Less than 15 minutes after police were dispatched to the scene, Collins reportedly called 911 and told dispatchers that he and Sutton had “just shot at each other.” Officers located Collins shortly afterward.
According to an affidavit, he retrieved the weapon he used in the incident—a “Draco”-style semi-automatic firearm—when approached by law enforcement.
During an initial interview with investigators, Collins stated that he and Sutton had been involved in an argument three days prior.
On the day of the shooting, Collins said he was driving down North Hickory Street when he saw Sutton standing outside a parked vehicle.
According to witness statements, Sutton appeared to be adjusting a child’s car seat at the time.
Collins told police that he believed Sutton was reaching into the vehicle to retrieve a firearm. In response, Collins exited his vehicle with his own firearm already in hand and approached Sutton.
The report notes that Collins claimed he did not see a weapon on Sutton until after he advanced toward him.
While investigators have not yet determined who fired first, ballistic evidence indicates that Sutton discharged a 9mm pistol twice, while Collins is believed to have fired approximately 12 rounds from his Draco-style firearm.
When detectives questioned Collins about why he chose to confront Sutton with a weapon instead of avoiding the situation by continuing to drive, Collins declined to answer further questions and ended the interview.
Collins was taken into custody later that day and is currently being held on a charge of criminal homicide.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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.