By TopTrendReportTv

September 5, 2024

An 11-year-old boy is now facing murder charges after admitting to shooting and killing an 82-year-old relative, who had once served as the mayor of a small city in Louisiana, along with the man’s adult daughter, police said on Tuesday.

The victims, Joe Cornelius Sr., a former city councilman and briefly the mayor of Minden, located about 25 miles east of Shreveport, and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles, were found dead from gunshot wounds at Cornelius's home on Sunday.

Chief Jared McIver of the Minden Police Department announced at a press conference that the boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held on $500,000 bail. While the boy’s name has not been disclosed due to his age, Chief McIver confirmed he is related to the victims. The exact nature of their relationship remains unspecified.

Authorities believe the boy acted alone, using two firearms recovered at the scene. Chief McIver stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the motive behind the killings is still unknown.

“It's hard to understand why someone would commit such a malicious act, especially at such a young age,” Chief McIver remarked. “We're continuing to piece together what happened, and we hope to have more answers soon.”

A spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office in Webster Parish mentioned that it has not been decided if the boy will be tried as an adult. It is also unclear if the boy currently has legal representation, with the local Public Defender’s Office stating that they have yet to determine if they will be representing him.

The news of the double homicide has deeply shocked the residents of Minden, a city of around 11,500 people, many of whom were familiar with Mr. Cornelius.

Mr. Cornelius had a long history of public service in Minden, serving as a city councilman and briefly as mayor after the previous mayor passed away in 2013. He was also a former sheriff’s deputy and marshal. According to The Associated Press, he had worked at a funeral home, led youth programs, and played a role in organizing local Black history events.

On social media, Mr. Cornelius was fondly remembered by his nicknames, “Mr. Joe” and “Ice Cream Joe.” Friends and neighbors recalled how he was known for driving an ice cream truck, often giving out free ice cream to children who couldn’t afford it.

Chief McIver stated that police responded to a 911 call around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, discovering Mr. Cornelius and Ms. Miles dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The 11-year-old boy was found at the scene and initially provided a story that did not align with the evidence. However, later that day, during an interview with detectives where an adult family member was present, the boy confessed to the killings.

Two firearms were recovered at the scene, and the shell casings matched the calibers of these weapons, Chief McIver confirmed.

The police chief did not disclose who owned the guns or how the boy gained access to them.

At the press conference, Minden’s current mayor, Nick Cox, spoke about the impact of Mr. Cornelius on the community. “Joe Cornelius was more than just a public servant. His efforts to improve Minden will be remembered for years to come,” Cox said.

Chief McIver noted the shock within the community, not only due to the suspect’s young age but also because of the loss of a beloved community member. “Everybody knew Mr. Joe, and that’s what makes this so painful,” Mr. Cox added. “When someone who has been a part of the community for so long, and has touched so many lives, is lost in this way, there is deep sorrow.”