Crime
At least 1 dead, another injured after shooting near Riverview Terrace Apartments in Needles
NEEDLES, CA – A deadly shooting early Wednesday morning in a Needles neighborhood has left one person dead and two others airlifted to medical facilities, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD).
At approximately 6:39 a.m. on July 23, emergency crews responded to reports of multiple gunshot victims in the 1900 block of Erin Drive.
Upon arrival, first responders located three victims.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were flown to area hospitals via Classic Air Medical for treatment of injuries whose severity has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Dispatch records indicate a prior call to the same block at 5:44 a.m. reporting an assault. Authorities have not confirmed whether the two incidents are related.
Due to the nature of the crime, the SBCSD Homicide Detail has taken over the investigation.
Law enforcement established a wide perimeter around the scene, including a road closure at the intersection of Erin Drive and Coronado, and urged the public to avoid the area.
The Sheriff’s Department has stated that additional information will be released following the completion of the initial investigation.
To assist in the response, the San Bernardino County Fire Department requested mutual aid from the Mohave Valley Fire Department, including two additional medics, two engines, and a duty chief.
On the Arizona side of the Colorado River, authorities temporarily closed the southeast corner of Highway 95 and Barrackman Road to establish a landing zone for air ambulances.
Residents in the neighborhood reported extensive police activity and full road closures stretching from Coronado to Earl Court, including all access points along Erin Drive.
The Sheriff’s Department has not yet released the identities of the deceased or injured.
The motive for the shooting and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Needles Station or submit a tip anonymously through local crime reporting services.
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.