Crime
17-year-old Reginald Pope shot and killed in Birmingham Gate City
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Police Department is conducting an investigation into an unclassified death that occurred Wednesday morning in the Gate City housing community.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on July 25, officers from the East Precinct responded to the 7500 block of 67th Court Way South following reports of a person shot.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 17-year-old Reginald Pope unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the teenager deceased.
A preliminary investigation suggests that several individuals may have been present inside the residence at the time of the shooting.
Authorities confirmed that a witness or person of interest was transported to Birmingham Police Headquarters for questioning.
At this time, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, and the case has not yet been officially classified as a homicide.
The Birmingham Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward.
Individuals can contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the Birmingham Police Department’s mobile app.
Investigators continue working to determine the events that led to the fatal shooting of Reginald Pope.
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.