CONCEPTION, Mo., June 10 (UPI) -- A gunman opened fire inside a Benedictine abbey Monday, killing at least three people and critically wounding two others, the Nodaway County sheriff's department said.
The shooting occurred about 8:40 a.m. CDT.
Capt. Chris Ricks of the Missouri Highway Patrol said 18 highway patrol officers had secured the scene and were conducting a room-to-room search for the gunman.
Ricks said no description of the gunman is being released. He said he did not know whether the gunman burst into the facility or was already there.
"It's hard to believe anyone would shoot anyone there," Ricks said. "They're Benedictine monks. They just pray for people."
The more-than-century-old abbey sits on a knoll, surrounded by trees and cornfields. The compound consists of several gothic-style buildings.
