Crime
18-year-old Jabari Peoples killed during fight with Homewood police officer
An 18-year-old man was fatally shot by a Homewood police officer Monday night during a confrontation at a city park.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as Jabari Latrell Peoples, a resident of Aliceville.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. at Homewood Soccer Park, located in the 1800 block of South Lakeshore Drive, near Columbiana Road.
At the time of the incident, the park was reportedly empty except for the individuals involved.
According to Sgt. Mark Trippe of the Homewood Police Department, an officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at the location.
During the investigation, officers reported that Peoples was involved in a physical altercation inside the vehicle and then allegedly pulled a firearm.
In response, the officer discharged their weapon, striking Peoples.
Emergency medical services transported him to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m.
No officers were injured in the incident.
As is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has taken over the investigation to ensure transparency and impartiality.
Further details, including body camera footage or the identity of the involved officer, have not yet been released.
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.