Three killed in Neosho, Mo., church shooting

Today, from the Associated Press:

NEOSHO, Mo. — A gunman opened fire in a Neosho church this afternoon, killing three people and wounding several others.

The call came in to police about 2 p.m. from the First Congregational Church near downtown, said Desiree Bridges, a spokeswoman for the city. An unknown number of people, but fewer than 10, were also shot and wounded, she said. The shooting took place in the church sanctuary, she said.

The gunman was being held at the Newton County Jail, but police were not releasing any information about him. Bridges, however, said the suspect was related to someone in the church, but she would not elaborate.

Bridges said the shooter had three firearms on him, but wouldn’t say what type. The shooting followed the 1 p.m. service.

The shooter then held about 25 to 50 people hostage. Negotiations lasted about 10 minutes, while police were in the church basement, Bridges said.

I am copying this story because Neosho is so close by here—about 25 miles due south of Carthage.

Pray for the families of the victims. Pray for the gunman. Pray for Neosho.

(Here's the article from the Neosho Daily News, which has more detail.)