Three people were killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire in a church in Neosho, a city in the central state of Missouri, authorities said.

One of the victims was identified by AP as Rev. Kernal Rehobson, 44, who led the local congregation of predominantly Micronesian worshippers.

According to the Neosho Daily News the police responded to a call about the shooting at the First Congregational Church at 1:54 p.m. local time and when they arrived at the scene discovered a gunman holding about 20 people hostage.

However Police Chief Dave McCracken didn’t reveal the identity of the shooter, who surrendered without other incidents. He said only the gunman was Hispanic or islander descent.

"He stormed in during the service and started shooting," said Desiree Bridges, a public information officer for the town of Neosho, quoted by CNN.

Also Police Chief Dave McCracken confirmed there were at least four people injured. All were expected to recover, he said. Tough the authorities are trying to determine the exact number of those who had been hurt during the shooting.

"We had some people who escaped the crime scene prior to the police arrival that were wounded, and we had some people escape during the process and at the time of the rescue." McCracken said for AP.

Charges had yet to be filed against the suspect, who is now in the custody at Newton County jail. According to Desiree Bridges the gunman was related to someone in church, but declined to offer any other details.