Crime
17-year-old Lorenzo Davis Jr killed after shooting in Birmingham’s Collegeville community
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot late Thursday night in a hail of gunfire that tore through a public housing complex in Birmingham’s Collegeville community, marking the city’s second teenage homicide in less than a week.
According to the Birmingham Police Department, North Precinct officers responded to a report of a person shot at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of 29th Avenue North.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Lorenzo Davis Jr., 17, unresponsive inside an apartment.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service arrived shortly after and pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:50 p.m.
Police spokesperson Officer Truman Fitzgerald confirmed that multiple rounds were fired from outside the apartment.
However, investigators have not yet determined whether Davis was shot while inside the apartment or if he was struck outside and ran indoors in an attempt to escape the gunfire.
The apartment unit sustained several bullet holes, and a nearby parked vehicle was also damaged by gunfire.
Investigators placed numerous evidence markers at the scene, primarily identifying the locations of spent shell casings, indicating a high volume of rounds fired.
At this time, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
The crime scene quickly drew a large crowd of family members, neighbors, and friends—many of whom were visibly devastated.
Both of Davis’s parents were present and collapsed in grief outside the apartment complex as the reality of the tragedy set in.
This latest killing brings Birmingham’s homicide count to 47 for the year.
Across Jefferson County, there have been 72 homicides in total so far in 2025, including those within the city limits.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Birmingham Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously, as the investigation into this senseless act of violence continues.
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.