A 10-year-old boy is in custody after reportedly confessing to the killings of an 82-year-old former mayor and his 31-year-old daughter. According to multiple sites, Joe Cornelius, the former mayor of Minden, Louisiana, and his daughter Keisha Miles were found dead inside a home in Minden on Sunday, September 1, 2024. The name of the juvenile has not been released yet, and neither has his relationship to the victims, who had been shot several times, according to KTBS.
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Minden Police Chief Jared McIver told KTBS that the suspect in custody confessed to the shootings. "We've got a confession. But in these cases when you're in, it's very delicate. When you're dealing with a child of this age, you know, in their stage, we're looking at, was their motive, what was the motive?" he said.
"And, you know, a lot of thoughts come rushing in here when you're dealing with someone this young," McIver added. "How, why, where did you know? We know where the firearm came from that was used. And it's just, it's one of those things that we've still got a lot of unanswered questions."
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The police chief described the child as "scared," but also said that he appeared to have a "mindset to commit a crime like this." The child's grandmother, who is his legal guardian, accompanied him during questioning. The investigation is currently ongoing to figure out the child's motive.
Police later learned the boy is 11 years old.
The current mayor, Nick Cox, issued a statement. "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Joe Cornelius Sr., a former long-time Minden City councilman and former appointed mayor of Minden," it read. "Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.
"During this incredibly difficult time, I ask that we all keep Joe’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the midst of this tragedy. Let us come together as a community to honor Joe’s memory and support one another through this time of grief."
