Crime
Two Shot Outside Historic Stonewall Inn in NYC
NEW YORK CITY — A shooting occurred outside the historic Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, just as Pride Parade celebrations were concluding.
According to law enforcement sources, two individuals were shot, including one person who was critically injured after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
The incident prompted an immediate and large-scale response from the New York Police Department (NYPD), with officers establishing a perimeter around the scene and issuing a request to halt all train traffic in the area as the search for suspects intensifies.
Preliminary witness reports and scanner traffic indicate that authorities are searching for three to four male Black suspects seen wearing masks and dressed entirely in black.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known, and investigators are working to determine whether it was targeted or random.
The critically injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, and the second individual’s condition has not yet been publicly disclosed.
The Stonewall Inn, a landmark of LGBTQ+ history, had been the focal point of festivities earlier in the day as thousands gathered in the area to celebrate NYC Pride.
The NYPD has not yet confirmed any arrests.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage from the area to come forward.
More updates will be released as they become available.
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.