Crime
Suspect in custody after fatally shot parole officer in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. — A suspect accused of fatally shooting a parole officer and hijacking a bus in Oakland on Thursday afternoon has been taken into custody following a multi-agency manhunt, authorities confirmed.
The deadly shooting occurred around 12:15 p.m. at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) parole office, located at 7717 Edgewater Drive in Oakland.
According to law enforcement sources, a male parole officer was shot inside the facility and transported to Highland Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Immediately following the shooting, law enforcement officers from the Oakland Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, CDCR, and other agencies flooded the area, taping off the building and establishing a command post at the scene.
The area was locked down, and Edgewater Drive was shut down in both directions as investigators launched a homicide investigation.
The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived, prompting an urgent citywide search.
Witnesses and surveillance footage described the suspect as a Black male, approximately 5’5″ in height, wearing all black clothing and sporting short hair.
Following the shooting, the suspect reportedly hijacked a transit bus in a desperate attempt to evade law enforcement.
Police tracked the suspect to the area of 90th Avenue and International Boulevard, where major law enforcement activity was concentrated throughout the afternoon.
A coordinated effort involving multiple agencies ultimately led to the suspect’s apprehension.
Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s identity or the specific circumstances of his capture. It remains unclear whether he had a prior connection to the parole office or the victim.
The Oakland Police Department, in collaboration with the CDCR, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, and federal law enforcement partners, is continuing the investigation.
The motive behind the attack is not yet known, and authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect was under parole supervision or had prior interactions with the officer.
Law enforcement officials are expected to provide further details in a press conference as the investigation progresses.
This incident marks a tragic loss for the law enforcement community.
The identity of the fallen parole officer is being withheld pending family notification.
This is a developing story.
Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes 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.