By AP/KWMU
Neosho, Mo. – A southwest Missouri church pastor was one of the three people shot to death when a gunman opened fire in the sanctuary Sunday.
Police identified the victim as 44-year-old Kernal Rehobson, the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Neosho.
The congregation is mostly Micronesian worshippers who were holding an afternoon service.
The other two victims were male members of the congregation, whose names were not released.
Police chief Dave McCracken said five people were wounded, but officers have been told that they will recover.
He said others who were injured may have fled before police secured the church.
McCracken said the gunman allowed the children to leave the church before he started shooting.
He said the suspected shooter is a Pacific island man in his 40s.
Formal charges are expected to be filed against him Monday. His name has not been released.
Newton County Coroner Mark Bridges said Rehobson was shot multiple times and was dead at the scene.
Officials say 25 to 50 people were briefly held hostage until the gunman surrendered after 10 minutes of negotiating with authorities.