NEOSHO, Mo., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- At least three people were killed and several others were wounded Sunday when a gunman opened fire inside a church in Neosho, Mo.
One of the dead was an assistant pastor at the First Congregation Church and the other two were worshippers, Neosho Police Chief Dave McCracken told CNN Sunday night. McCracken said there was no final count on the number of people who were wounded, but he said it was “approximately” five.
All were expected to recover, he said.
Desiree Bridges, a spokeswoman for the city, told the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader the gunman held about 25 to 50 people hostage briefly following the shooting in the church sanctuary.
Authorities said they received a call about the shooting at 1:54 p.m. local time. Police said they secured the scene and began negotiations with a suspect.
The gunman surrendered and was being held at the Newton County Jail. His identity was not disclosed, but Bridges said he was related to someone in the church.
McCracken said the suspect was not cooperating with investigators.
“We do have numerous witnesses, however,” he told CNN.
Police said they recovered three guns from the suspect.
The shooting occurred during a service for a group of people from the Marshall Islands who use the church, the News-Leader said.
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt offered condolences to the victims’ relatives and the Neosho community. He ordered state officials to assist local law enforcement in investigating the shooting, the newspaper said.
