Nine charges have been filed against the man suspected of killing three people and wounding five others during a shooting at the First Congregational Church of Neosho on Sunday. The shooting occurred during an afternoon service held by a Micronesian congregation.
52-year-old Eiken Elam Saimon appeared in Newton County Circuit Court Monday afternoon, pleading not guilty to three charges of first-degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, one count of armed criminal action, and one count of felonious restraint.
The people killed in the assault are identified as 43-year-old Associate Pastor Kernal Rehobson, his uncle 44-year-old Intenson Rehobson, and 53-year-old Kuhpes Jesse Ikosia – both church deacons.
Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland says Saimon is also a suspect in an alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old female.
A judge has set Saimon’s bond at $1-Million, down from the original $5-Million. A preliminary hearing is set for September 18th. [UPI photo/Neosho Police Department]
Download/Listen: Newton County Prosecutor Scott Watson (:35 MP3)