Crime
Reports of shooting at Burger King in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A significant police presence was observed Wednesday night at a Burger King restaurant on the city’s west side amid unconfirmed reports of a shooting.
The incident unfolded at the Burger King located at 3525 Mahoning Avenue, near the intersection of Meridian Road.
A photo from the scene showed at least four Youngstown Police Department cruisers parked outside the restaurant, while witnesses reported seeing as many as a dozen law enforcement vehicles from multiple departments surrounding the building.
One witness described the scene as resembling a “SWAT-style” response, stating that officers had the perimeter secured.
The witness also noted that they had recently left their job at the restaurant and expressed relief at not being inside at the time of the reported gunfire.
As of late Wednesday, dispatchers with both the Youngstown Police Department and Austintown Police Department stated they had no immediate information to release regarding the nature of the incident or whether anyone had been injured.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether shots were fired or if any arrests have been made.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected once they become 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.