11-year-old charged with murder in deaths of former mayor and his daughter, cops say
An 11-year-old boy is behind bars after police say he confessed to fatally shooting a former mayor and his daughter inside their Louisiana home.
Officers responded at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, after a report of two bodies at a home in Minden, KTAL reported, citing Police Chief Jared McIver.
There they found Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter Keisha Miles, 31, dead from multiple gunshot wounds, McIver told KTBS and other outlets at a Sept. 3 news conference.
Cornelius was a former city councilman and previously served as interim mayor for the City of Minden, the station reported.
“Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community,” current Minden Mayor Nick Cox said in a statement posted on the city’s Facebook page.
“On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.”
Authorities said they found two guns inside the home, KTAL reported.
The 11-year-old, accompanied by a guardian, was interviewed by detectives and later confessed to killing Cornelius and Miles, McIver said, according to KSLA.
Authorities didn’t say how or if the child is related to the two victims.
Neighbors who spoke to station said Cornelius and the boy were heard arguing about credit card charges for a video game before the deadly shooting. However, police haven’t confirmed those details.
“There is a lot of questions as to the why. There has been rumors put out, but none of those has been confirmed,” the police chief said, according to KSLA.
The child is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held on a $500,000 bond, KTAL reported.
Minden is about a 30-mile drive northeast from Shreveport.
Gun violence in the U.S.
Thousands of people die every year from firearm injuries in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gun violence is a “significant public health problem,” and gun-related injuries were among the leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in 2022, according to the agency.
Experts said the impact of such violence extends beyond victims and their families.
“Shooting incidents, including those in homes, schools, houses of worship, workplaces, shopping areas, on the street or at community events can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and impact everyday decisions,” the CDC said.