On a tragic Sunday in August of 2007, the city of Neosho, Missouri, was rocked by a violent shooting that claimed the life of Rev. Kernel Rehobson, a 43-year-old male pastor. The incident unfolded within the walls of the First Congregational Church, a place of worship for a predominantly Micronesian congregation.
The gunman, identified as Eiken Elam Saimon, a 52-year-old citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, entered the church armed with two pistols.
Eyewitnesses reported that Saimon yelled 'Liar, liar!' before opening fire. The attack resulted in the deaths of Rev. Rehobson, his 44-year-old uncle and fellow pastor, Intenson Rehobson, and a 53-year-old associate pastor, Kuhpes Ikosia. Four other individuals were also wounded in the shooting.
Following the shooting, Saimon held approximately 50 churchgoers hostage. However, after a brief negotiation with law enforcement, he surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
In the aftermath of the deadly assault, Eiken Elam Saimon was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of first-degree assault. He ultimately pleaded guilty and agreed to a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, receiving three life sentences without the possibility of parole. In addition to the charges related to the shooting, Saimon was also facing charges of statutory rape and statutory sodomy involving a 14-year-old relative.
