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UPDATE (9/3): Since this story was first published, Minden Police have corrected the suspect’s age to 11. The boy is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held in juvenile detention with bond set at $500,000 ($250,000 on each of the two counts).
The original story is as follows:
A former city councilman in the Webster Parish city of Minden and his daughter are shot dead, and the suspect is a ten-year-old boy.
Joe Cornelius, 82, and his daughter Keisha Miles, 31, were found dead inside their home at around 6:30 Sunday morning.
There were two juveniles inside the home at the time.
“Through piecing all the evidence together, getting all the resources together, we were able to figure out that one of the juveniles had committed this crime,” says Jared McIver, Minden police chief. “Surprising that the juvenile is ten years old and just shot both victims.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Minden Police have corrected the boy’s age to 11.)
Chief McIver says the investigation ruled out any notion that this was an accidental shooting.
“It’s one thing if the juvenile was playing with the gun and accidentally shot (the victims),” McIver notes. “But these victims, they had multiple gunshot wounds, which signifies it was not an accidental shooting or self defense or anything like that.”
At this time, it’s unclear what led to the shooting.
“The child confessed to what they did, and motive is still unclear,” McIver says. “I think we’re starting to get a few answers, but it’s not 100% clear as to why.”
Cornelius had previously been appointed mayor of Minden in 2013 following the death of Mayor Bill Robertson.
The city’s current mayor, Nick Cox, issued a statement on the tragedy:
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Joe Cornelius Sr., a former long-time Minden City councilman and former appointed mayor of Minden.
“Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.
“During this incredibly difficult time, I ask that we all keep Joe’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the midst of this tragedy.
“Let us come together as a community to honor Joe’s memory and support one another through this time of grief.”
Services at the church across the street from the shooting scene were cancelled out of respect for the victims.
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