11-year-old boy charged with killing former Louisiana city mayor, his daughter: Police

The boy is in custody after being accused of shooting and killing former interim Minden Mayor Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, 31-year-old Keisha Miles.

An 11-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after being accused of shooting a former Louisiana city mayor and his adult daughter to death, police said.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver announced the arrest of the boy during a news conference on Tuesday and confirmed the deaths of Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, 31-year-old Keisha Miles.

“I just want to start out by giving our condolences to the family,” McIver said. “This is a very tough issue to be dealing with and the city mourns with you, as well. The city is also in shock.”

Minden police officers got a 911 call about the shooting on Sunday around 6:30 a.m., according to McIver. The caller, who the chief said was a family member, told the operator that two people were dead inside of a home.

Cornelius and Miles were found in the home dead from multiple gunshot wounds, the chief said. Investigators found two guns that were hidden on the property that matched the empty shell casings found at the scene of the shooting, he added.

11-year-old boy confesses to the murders: Police chief

Detectives soon interviewed the 11-year-old boy who was at the scene when officers responded, McIver said. After the boy gave authorities a story that “didn’t add up,” he later confessed to committing the shootings, according to the chief.

The boy’s relationship with Cornelius and Miles is unclear, and while police did not specify, McIver said he is their family member.

“A lot of questions have arose about what is the why behind this. We do not know that yet,” according to the chief. “We are still piecing the puzzle pieces together right now.”

McIver also did not release what guns were used to commit the shootings.

“When it comes to a crime like this, if a person wants to do harm to someone it doesn’t matter the weapon,” he said. “They’re going to find something to use. In this case, firearms were used.”

The 11-year-old remains in custody with a $500,000 bond, according to the chief.

‘This is a somber day for our community’

Joe Cornelius Sr. previously served as a longtime city council and interim mayor of Minden, Louisiana, current Minden Mayor Nick Cox said during the news conference.

“This is a somber day for our community as we face this tragedy that has deeply affected us all, our hearts and prayers are with the Cornelius family and their friends during this unimaginable time,” Cox said. “Joe Cornelius was more than just a public servant, he was a committed leader who dedicated many years to the service of the city of Minden.”

McIver said Cornelius has “been around” and everybody knew him, which is why his death “hurts the most.”

“When you know somebody that’s been in the community that long, (and) that’s reached so many people there, there’s a sorrow,” the chief said.