Crime
Tony Penta and his mother Chastity Milenewicz killed in Redding shooting, suspect Jesse Penta charged with murder
REDDING, Calif. — Police have made an arrest following a double fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon at a residence off Abernathy Lane in Redding.
According to the Redding Police Department (RPD), officers were dispatched at approximately 1:15 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired in the 10000 block of Abernathy Lane.
During the response, a man called 911 and told dispatchers he had shot two people outside his home and remained armed inside the residence.
In response, RPD activated its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and deployed an Armored BearCat vehicle.
When officers arrived on scene, they located two adult victims suffering from severe injuries outside the home.
The victims were quickly pulled to safety, and officers administered lifesaving measures; however, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Jesse Penta of Redding. RPD stated that he spoke with a Crisis Intervention Response officer by phone, which allowed officers to negotiate his peaceful surrender.
Penta was taken into custody without further incident.
Following an interview with detectives, he was booked into the Shasta County Jail on two counts of murder.
Investigators confirmed that police had been called to the residence multiple times in recent weeks for family-related disputes.
While officials did not provide additional details on the circumstances leading up to the shooting, they confirmed that the victims were Tony Penta and his mother Chastity Milenewicz.
The shooting prompted a temporary hard lockdown at Columbia Elementary School, located nearby.
The lockdown was lifted by 2:04 p.m. after police confirmed there was no threat to the campus.
Abernathy Lane remained closed for several hours while detectives processed the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Redding Police Department’s Detective Division at 530-225-4214.
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.