Crime
Seven Injured in Overnight Mass Shooting Outside St. Sabina Church in Chicago, $10,000 Reward Offered
CHICAGO — A large overnight gathering near St. Sabina Church in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood was shattered by gunfire early Saturday morning, leaving seven individuals injured, including three teenagers, according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
The shooting occurred around 1:55 a.m. near the intersection of 78th Street and Throop Street, directly across from St. Sabina School, which is affiliated with the church.
CPD officers were already on the scene attempting to disperse a crowd when an unknown vehicle approached and opened fire into the group.
According to police and witnesses, a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee with four occupants drove past the gathering, and someone inside the vehicle began shooting.
Some individuals in the crowd reportedly returned fire toward the Jeep, which then fled the scene.
Police confirmed that seven people were struck by gunfire:
- An 18-year-old male was shot in the chest and leg and is listed in serious condition at an area hospital.
- Three 17-year-old males sustained gunshot wounds to their arms and legs and are expected to recover.
- A 19-year-old man was shot in the leg and arm.
- Two additional 18-year-old men suffered wounds to the leg and buttocks, respectively.
All other victims were reported to be in stable condition as of the latest updates.
Longtime anti-violence advocate Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church condemned the shooting and expressed deep concern for the ongoing violence in the Auburn Gresham area.
“To be honest with you, this is not something that a snap curfew, jobs, or programming can stop,” Pfleger said in a statement. “What has to stop this is parents knowing where their kids are at two o’clock in the morning.”
Father Pfleger and the St. Sabina Faith Community are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting.
Chicago Police cleared the scene just before 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact:
- St. Sabina Church: (773) 483-4300
- Anonymous Tips: CPDTIP.com
This incident marks yet another instance of gun violence impacting a community gathering, prompting renewed calls for accountability, parental supervision, and community engagement.
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.