MINDEN, LA – In a shocking case in Louisiana, a 10-year-old boy is now in police custody after he allegedly admitted to fatally shooting an 82-year-old former mayor and his adult daughter. The suspect was arrested in Minden following the discovery of the two bodies on Sunday, September 1.
The victims were identified as Joe Cornelius Sr., an 82-year-old ex-mayor, and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles. The police reported that both victims had been shot multiple times. A confession from the boy allegedly linked him to the killings, according to Minden Police Chief Jared McIver.
Although the confession constitutes significant evidence, McIver noted that cases involving juveniles are intricate and come with numerous questions. These include establishing the motive for the crime and understanding the mindset that led to the act.
McIver described the child as “scared” but observed that he seemed to have a “mindset to commit a crime like this.” The relationship between the child and the victims has not been disclosed.
Cornelius Sr., known to the community as “Mister Joe,” briefly served as Minden’s interim mayor in 2013 and was also a former city councilman. His noteworthy contribution includes founding the “Concerned Citizens of Minden” organization in 1990, which helped raise funds for student scholarships.