Crime
Seven-month-old Zymir Demarco Smith killed in Spartanburg shooting
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Authorities in Spartanburg have launched a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning and claimed the life of a seven-month-old infant.
According to the Spartanburg Police Department, officers were dispatched to an apartment on Collins Avenue around 4:00 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the area.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered multiple signs of a shooting, including bullet damage to the residence.
Inside the apartment, they followed a trail of blood which led them to a critically injured infant suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck.
Preliminary findings suggest that the infant and his mother were asleep at the time of the incident, when multiple unknown suspects fired several rounds into the home from outside.
Emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene. Despite efforts to provide life-saving care, the infant was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Zymir Demarco Smith, a seven-month-old boy.
In a statement released Sunday, Zymir’s family expressed their heartbreak and called for justice in the wake of the devastating loss. Law enforcement officials echoed that plea.
“This is a senseless and heartbreaking tragedy for our entire community,” said Major Art Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department. “We will use every available resource to solve this case and identify those responsible for this horrific act. We urge anyone with information—no matter how insignificant it may seem—to come forward.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Spartanburg Police Department at 864-596-2065. Anonymous tips are welcome.
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.