Crime
1 killed after shooting in South Whitehall Township
SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, PA — A fatal shooting occurred Tuesday at a residence located on the 100 block of North 38th Street in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.
According to initial emergency dispatch reports, law enforcement responded to a call regarding a male individual reportedly firing a rifle inside a garage.
Upon arrival, officers were met with an active and highly volatile scene.
Police immediately declared “shots fired” over the radio after arriving at the location.
Shortly thereafter, responders reported that the individual involved had no pulse.
Emergency medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have confirmed that the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office has been notified and is responding to the scene to assist in the investigation and handle the formal identification and cause of death.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation by South Whitehall Township Police, with support from other local law enforcement agencies.
Further information, including the identity of the deceased and whether any other individuals were involved or injured, has not yet been released.
Residents were urged to avoid the area during the active 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.