Boy, 10, confesses to killing former Louisiana mayor and his daughter, police say

A 10-year-old boy was taken into custody after he confessed to the fatal shooting of a former Louisiana mayor and his adult daughter, a police official said Monday.

Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and Keisha Miles, 31, were found dead Sunday morning after officers were dispatched to the former officer’s home in Minden, a town of nearly 12,000 east of Shreveport, the city’s police chief said.

Police Chief Jared McIver identified the boy as a relative of Cornelius but declined to provide additional details and said authorities had not determined a possible motive.

“Our city is in shock,” McIver said. “How could a 10-year-old do something so malicious?”

The boy is being held on two counts of first-degree murder, McIver said. He added that it was unclear whether the child had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

The bodies of Cornelius and Miles were found with multiple gunshot wounds, McIver said. He added that two handguns were used and that their magazines were empty.

McIver said a 6-year-old child who was in the home at the time of the shooting was not injured.

The older boy initially gave a different version of the events surrounding the death, but by Sunday afternoon he had a different opinion. confessed to the shooting, McIver said.

McIver said he was accompanied by his grandmother when he gave his testimony.

Cornelius was a well-known community activist, a City Council member and a deputy district marshal in the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport NBC affiliate KTAL reported.

The station reported that in 2013, while he was serving on the City Council, Cornelius was appointed interim mayor after the incumbent mayor died while in office.

In a statement Sunday, Minden Mayor Nick Cox said he was grateful for Cornelius’ friendship and “the many ways he supported me and others in our city.”

“Joe Cornelius’ years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to improving our community,” Cox said, adding, “Let us come together as a community to honor Joe’s memory and support each other during this time of mourning.”