Crime
UNM Campus Shooting Victim Identified as 14-Year-Old Michael Lamotte
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Friday, July 25, 2025, at Mesa Vista Hall on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus.
According to a statement from New Mexico State Police (NMSP), the investigation was initiated at the request of the University of New Mexico Police Department (UNMPD) following reports of gunfire inside the dormitory complex.
At approximately 1:36 a.m., UNM police officers responded to an alarm activation at Mesa Vista Hall.
Upon arrival, officers discovered broken windows and what appeared to be blood near the scene.
Shortly afterward, UNMPD received a phone call from a concerned woman who stated that her family member, who was on campus, had reported hearing gunshots.
Shortly thereafter, officers were notified by the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) that a 19-year-old male had arrived at the emergency department with a gunshot wound.
The individual reported that he had been shot on campus.
While conducting a security sweep of the surrounding buildings, UNMPD officers entered one of the dorm rooms in the Casas del Rio complex and discovered the body of a 14-year-old male, later identified as Michael Lamotte.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Out of an abundance of caution and to preserve critical evidence, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the campus. NMSP investigators responded and assumed control of the case.
According to the preliminary investigation and details in the criminal complaint, four individuals had gathered in the dorm room to play video games.
At some point, for reasons still under investigation, one of the individuals, later identified as 18-year-old John Fuentes, allegedly produced a firearm and began shooting at the others.
Michael Lamotte was fatally shot during the incident.
Another teenager sustained a gunshot wound to the head but survived.
Following the shooting, all surviving individuals, including Fuentes, fled the room.
By approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day, Fuentes was located and apprehended by NMSP in Valencia County, New Mexico.
He was taken into custody without incident at a smoke shop off NM 314 in Los Lunas. An older woman who was in the vehicle with Fuentes at the time was detained but later released.
Fuentes was transported to and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on the following charges:
- First-degree murder
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated assault
- Tampering with evidence
New Mexico State Police have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges may be forthcoming for individuals who may have assisted Fuentes after the shooting.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward as investigators continue to gather evidence in this tragic and deeply disturbing incident.
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.