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President Mori Responds to the Neosho Shooting Incident

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): August 24, 2007 - President Manny Mori has sent condolences from the Federated States of Micronesia to the families of those who died in the shooting of August 12, 2007 at First Congregational Church in Neosho, Missouri.

In a letter to President Mori, Secretary Robert informed the President that on August 12, 2007 around 2:00 pm Sunday, Mr. Eiken Elam Saimon, an FSM citizen from Pohnpei State, armed with one small handgun and a 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a large magazine, entered the First Congregational Church, demanded the children and some relative to leave the church, then proceed to engage in a hostage situation, which left three dead and at least four seriously wounded.

After about five to ten minutes of negotiations, Mr. Saimon surrendered and now is being held at the Newton County Jail.

Saimon has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault, one count of armed criminal action and one count of felony restraint with a bail set at $1 million.

His preliminary hearing is set for September 18, 2007.

President Mori's letter to the families, expresses condolences from the government and the people of the FSM joins him in "expressing our deepest sympathies and prayers to families of the victims and members of the community and those affected by the incident".

Fatal victims of the shooting are Kernal Rehobson, Sailmon Intenson Rehobson and Jesse Kuhpes Ikosia.

The following people sustained varying injuries: Melihna Tara, Dosiana Jack, Jim Handy Dahnny Jack and Kendy Handy.