Crime
Witness Says Friend’s Son and Another Shopper Helped Subdue Suspect in Walmart Stabbing Incident in Traverse City
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — A major law enforcement and emergency response was launched Saturday evening following a mass stabbing at the Walmart Supercenter in Traverse City.
The incident occurred just before 5:00 p.m., prompting a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) declaration as multiple victims were reported.
According to local officials and eyewitness accounts, at least eleven individuals were stabbed during the attack, with several suffering critical injuries.
Tourniquets were reportedly applied at the scene to control severe bleeding, and CPR was performed on at least one victim in cardiac arrest.
The total number of victims remains unconfirmed as the investigation continues.
Witnesses described a chaotic and horrifying scene inside the store, with panicked customers and employees running in all directions after a man armed with a knife began attacking shoppers at random in various departments.
Victims were reported across multiple sections of the store, including the produce and grocery areas.
Grand Traverse 911 issued a public alert asking residents to avoid the area near Walmart and Crossing Circle, emphasizing that “there is no danger to the public at this time” as the suspect had been taken into custody shortly after the attack.
Eyewitness statements offer further insight into the events. Kathryn Ann Clark told Channel2 Now that her friend’s son and another shopper helped subdue the suspect before police arrived.
Walmart employees confirmed that no shots were fired during the incident. Tasha Nash, who works at the store, stated, “Me and my sister work there. The whole store started screaming and running. There was a guy with a knife—he stabbed six people. I saw someone stabbed in the eye.”
Amber Paull reported seeing a man she described as “a foreign guy” randomly attack people in the produce section. “An African American man pulled a hero move and drew his pistol to try and stop him,” she said. “But then people screamed, and employees shouted for everyone to run, and the suspect slipped away into the crowd.”
Suspect is a Michigan resident, police confirmed.
Among the injured were an elderly woman and a child, according to initial accounts.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet released the suspect’s identity or disclosed a potential motive.
The investigation remains active, and officials are working to confirm details regarding the number of victims and the suspect’s background.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area as the scene is processed.
Updates will be provided as more verified 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.