Crime
Jackson Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Emarion Flowers
JACKSON, MI — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Emarion Flowers, 22, which occurred in Jackson late last week, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Jackson Police Chief Chris Simpson announced that the suspect was taken into custody around 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, near the intersection of County Farm Road and Springport Road in Blackman Township.
The arrest was made swiftly by detectives, and the suspect was transported to the Jackson County Jail, where he awaits formal charges of open murder.
Flowers was discovered with a gunshot wound at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at Southridge Park, located on Warwick Court.
Emergency responders transported him to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Just hours after Flowers’ death, a separate shooting took place less than 12 hours later across the city boundary in the 100 block of Lincoln Court near Francis Street in Summit Township.
In that incident, four men were shot, including 29-year-old Anthony Glen Owens Jr., who died from his injuries.
Authorities are actively investigating whether the two shootings are connected. “It’s too early to confirm a direct link,” Chief Simpson stated, “but our detectives are thoroughly examining all possible connections.”
The arrest was a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Jackson Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
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.