Crime
Mass Casualty Incident Declared After Multiple Injured After Vehicle Strikes Pedestrians and Vehicles in Downtown Gatlinburg
GATLINBURG, TN — Authorities are investigating a serious multi-vehicle crash involving pedestrians in downtown Gatlinburg on Sunday afternoon, which left at least six people injured.
The incident occurred around 4:14 p.m. in the 700 block of Parkway, between traffic lights No. 6 and No. 8.
According to the Gatlinburg Police Department (GPD), the crash was triggered when a driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency, causing their vehicle to collide with several other cars and strike pedestrians along the busy street.
The situation prompted a mass casualty incident (MCI) declaration due to the number of victims and the scale of the emergency response.
Emergency crews from GPD, Gatlinburg Fire Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol quickly responded to the scene.
Multiple ambulances and medical helicopters were dispatched to assist with transporting the injured. Authorities confirmed that six individuals were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
The extent of their injuries has not been officially released.
Footage from the Gatlinburg Space Needle captured the aftermath, showing several heavily damaged vehicles along the roadway and emergency responders actively working the scene.
Traffic along Parkway came to a complete halt as responders secured the area and assisted victims.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported significant delays and advised motorists to avoid the area while investigations continue.
No additional information about the driver or the condition of those injured has been released at this time.
This remains an active investigation.
Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact the Gatlinburg Police Department.
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.