Crime
UNM Campus Shooter Identified as 18-Year-Old John Fuentes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Authorities have provided new details regarding a deadly shooting that occurred early Friday morning at the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus.
Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as 18-year-old John Fuentes, who was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Friday afternoon in Valencia County.
According to investigators, four individuals were “hanging out” and playing video games inside a unit at the Casas del Rio student housing complex when the shooting took place.
A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot, and a 19-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The motive for the shooting has not yet been confirmed, and officials say the circumstances that led to a 14-year-old being present in the campus residence remain unclear.
The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The incident was reported just before midnight, prompting an immediate response from the UNM Police Department. Officers located the two victims and began securing the area.
Out of an abundance of caution, UNM placed the campus under lockdown and issued a shelter-in-place order while law enforcement worked to determine if the suspect was still on campus. That order has since been lifted, although the crime scene remains active.
Students housed in the nearby Gila building reported hearing four to five gunshots and described scenes of panic as people fled toward a nearby parking lot. Many students remained sheltered in place for hours overnight.
On Friday afternoon, UNMPD began conducting a staged and tactical evacuation of students from the affected areas, urging anyone still on campus not to move without police direction.
The New Mexico State Police have since taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Officials have confirmed that Fuentes was located and arrested without incident in Los Lunas around 2:30 p.m. They believe this was an isolated incident, and no additional suspects are being sought.
The shooting occurred during new student orientation, and officials have confirmed that incoming freshmen, including members of the UNM football team, were residing on the fourth floor of the student housing complex at the time.
At this point, there is no indication that any enrolled students—current or incoming—were directly involved in the incident.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the UNM Police Department at (505) 277-2241 or reach out anonymously to Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-7867 or through their website at www.crimestoppersnm.com.
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.