Crime
First look at the suspect who shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University event in Orem
OREM, Utah – At approximately 12:20 p.m. MST on Wednesday, political commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was speaking at a student-sponsored event at Utah Valley University (UVU) when he was shot.
Emergency responders immediately rendered aid, and Kirk was transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are co-leading the case in close coordination with the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and local law enforcement partners.
George Hodgson Zinn was initially detained as a suspect but has since been released. He has been charged with obstruction by UVU Police for unrelated conduct.
A second individual, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and later released following extensive questioning. Authorities have confirmed there are currently no ties between either of these individuals and the shooting.
The shooter remains at large, and investigators continue to pursue active leads.
The FBI has established a digital media tip line at fbi.gov/UtahValleyShooting. Members of the public with photos, videos, or any relevant information are urged to submit materials directly through this portal to assist investigators.
The State Crime Lab and federal partners are processing multiple active crime scenes. These include both the location where Kirk was shot and other sites linked to the movement of the suspect and victim.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was a targeted attack. Authorities believe the shooter fired from the roof of a nearby campus building, directing gunfire toward the public event taking place in the student courtyard. Additional details are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
To secure the event, UVU Police Department deployed six officers in addition to Mr. Kirk’s private security team. Attendance at the event is estimated at approximately 3,000 individuals. The gathering was held in the university quad, an outdoor bowl-style courtyard commonly used for student events.
The UVU campus will remain closed for the rest of the week out of an abundance of caution and to allow law enforcement continued access to the investigation sites. Students, faculty, and staff seeking updated information should visit uvu.info.
This is a tragic moment for Utah and the nation. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk, as well as to the UVU community and all who were impacted.
For those experiencing emotional distress, the state urges individuals to call 988, Utah’s mental health crisis line, for immediate support.
Further information will be released as soon as it is 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.