11-Year-Old Boy Confesses to Killing Former Louisiana Mayor and His Daughter

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An 11-year-old boy has confessed to the fatal shootings of former Louisiana mayor Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his adult daughter, Keisha Miles, 31, a police official announced Monday. The tragic incident took place in Minden, a small city east of Shreveport, where Cornelius had been a well-known figure.
On Sunday morning, officers were dispatched to Cornelius' home after receiving reports of a disturbance. Police Chief Jared McIver stated that both Cornelius and Miles were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds. "Two handguns were used, and their magazines were emptied," McIver reported, highlighting the severity of the attack. A 6-year-old child was also present at the scene but was not injured.
The young boy, who is a relative of Cornelius, initially gave a different account of the events but later confessed to the shootings by Sunday afternoon. "We were called to the scene at 6:30 a.m., and by noon, the child had confessed," McIver explained. His grandmother, who is Miles’ mother, was with him at the time of the confession.
While the police have not disclosed a possible motive, they have noted that the boy's age restricts the information they can release about his relationship to the victims. McIver did confirm that the boy is being held on two counts of first-degree murder. "It remains unclear whether the child has a lawyer to speak on his behalf," McIver added.
Initially, the child was reported to be 10 years old, but further investigation through the school system confirmed he is 11. This detail was clarified by Chief McIver in an interview on Tuesday. When asked how the child accessed the firearms, McIver stated, "We can’t divulge that just yet," suggesting that the investigation is ongoing.
McIver noted the boy's demeanor during the police interview, stating, "What I would say would be remorseful — sadness, sorrowful, apology, crying — none of those things happened." He also acknowledged that people grieve and express emotions differently, but the absence of typical signs of remorse was notable.
Joe Cornelius Sr. was a respected community activist, a City Council member, and a deputy ward marshal for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office. His dedication to Minden was widely recognized, especially during his tenure as interim mayor in 2013 following the death of the incumbent mayor. Cornelius was known for his commitment to the community's well-being and his efforts to improve local governance.
In response to the tragic news, Minden Mayor Nick Cox released a statement expressing his grief and honoring Cornelius' memory. "Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community," Cox said. He also extended his condolences to the families affected and encouraged the community to come together in support. "Let us come together as a community to honor Joe’s memory and support one another through this time of grief," he added.
As the community grapples with the loss of a beloved figure and the shocking involvement of an 11-year-old in such a violent act, questions remain about what led to this tragedy and how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover more details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting and the boy's motivations.
The case is expected to draw considerable attention as it unfolds, particularly given the boy's age and the nature of the crimes. Further developments will be closely monitored, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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