Crime
Kingstree shooting victims identified as Mycheal Edwards-Wallace and Edwin Cooper
KINGSTREE, SOUTH CAROLINA – An 18-year-old athlete with a promising future was one of two teenagers fatally shot over the weekend in Williamsburg County.
The Williamsburg County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, 18, and Edwin Cooper, 16, both of Kingstree, South Carolina.
The shooting occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Kings Crossing Apartment Complex.
Authorities say both victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds at the scene.
Edwards-Wallace, a recent graduate of Kingstree High School, was set to begin his collegiate football career as a freshman at Newberry College this fall.
A standout on the field, he had earned all-state, all-area, and all-region honors, and played in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
The news of Edwards-Wallace’s death has deeply impacted the Newberry College community.
“Our hearts go out to his family,” said Newberry head football coach Todd Knight in a statement. “It’s such a tragedy for a talented young man to be struck down at such a young age. He was a good student and a great young man with a terrific personality and a bright future. We were really excited to have him as a part of our team. He will always be a part of our Newberry family.”
In a separate statement, Newberry College extended its condolences:
“The entire Newberry College community extends its deepest condolences to Mycheal’s family, friends, and teammates. We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation by local law enforcement. No arrests have been reported at this time.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office.
The tragic deaths of Edwards-Wallace and Cooper have left their families, schools, and communities mourning the loss of two young lives filled with potential.
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.