A 10-year-old boy has confessed to shooting dead a former Louisiana mayor and his daughter, with witnesses saying an argument over credit card charges for video games sparked the killings.
The unidentified juvenile allegedly confessed to shooting Joe Cornelius, 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31, multiple times each, Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said, according to KTB.
“We have a confession, but in these cases, when you’re involved, it’s very sensitive,” McIver said. “When you’re dealing with a child of this age, you know, at his stage, we’re looking at whether there was a motive, what the motive was, what caused it, what triggered it, you know, since the victims were shot.
“It’s one of those things where we still have a lot of unanswered questions.”
McIver described the boy as “scared,” but said the minor had the “mentality to commit a crime like this,” according to KTBS.
The boy’s relationship to the victims is unclear.
Police responded to a home on Austin Street around 6:30 a.m. Sunday after receiving reports of gunshots. Authorities found the victims inside with multiple gunshot wounds.
The unidentified juvenile allegedly confessed to the deaths of Joe Cornelius, 82, and his daughter Keisha Miles, 31, Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said.
Police responded to a home on Austin Street around 6:30 a.m. Sunday after receiving reports of gunshots.
Authorities found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds inside the home. Police said they “know where the firearm came from” and that the boy had been accompanied by his grandmother, who is his legal guardian, during questioning.
Police said they “know where the firearm came from” and that the boy had been accompanied by his grandmother, who is his legal guardian, during questioning.
McIver said the boy showed no remorse for his actions.
“I think we all know what grief looks like and what it should look like, but I just didn’t see it,” McIver said, according to KSLA.
Neighbors heard “eight gunshots” and said Cornelius had been arguing with the 10-year-old boy over credit card charges for video games, KSLA reported.
“I think that’s what happened. I was arguing with him; I heard them yelling and stuff,” an unidentified neighbor told the outlet.
“I don’t think that was right. The child was autistic, he had autism,” the neighbor added.
“And Joe started arguing with him. The kid just pulled out a gun. Joe was a sheriff, so he has guns because he worked for the sheriff’s department and the kid knew where they were. It’s kind of sad.”
Police have not confirmed the relationship between the victims and the boy, or whether they had an argument before the fatal shooting.
Cornelius served as Minden’s mayor in July 2013 after then-Mayor Bill Robertson passed away. The 82-year-old was serving as Ward A councilman when he took office.
Miles’ son, Uriah, 17, started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his mother of three’s funeral, as well as support him and his two younger siblings.
Cornelius served as mayor of Minden in July 2013 after then-Mayor Bill Robertson passed away. The 82-year-old was serving as a Ward A councilman when he took office. He was unsuccessful in his bid to win election as mayor for another term.
Cornelius was known for his community activism, having started the Concerned Citizens of Minden organization in 1990 while serving as a councilman. KTAL The initiative began after a 10-year-old boy told them there was nothing to do during the summer, so the group helped organize events and fund scholarships.
She also worked with the Minden Black History Committee and the Head Start Policy Council.
Cornelius was also known as the “Ice Cream Man” for selling the dessert at a discounted price to children when their families couldn’t afford it.
“I remember him coming through my neighborhood about seven years ago. The kids were buying ice cream, but I had little money. They wanted things I couldn’t afford at the time. He told me to pay what I could, but they could get whatever they wanted. I was worried I was going to lose money on this. He said, ‘It’s not about the money, I’m doing this for the kids,'” Patti Hadland Porter recalled.
“He was unique.”
Cornelius retired in December 2022 from his job as a deputy sheriff with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to KTBS.
“I am 17 years old, my mother and grandfather left me in the ground with my two brothers. I have to bury my mother alone with the help of some relatives,” said her son Uriah (right).
“It’s a sad situation,” McIver said. “The community is mourning the loss of Mr. Joe Cornelius.
“Mr. Joe was always nice to the police department, always making people laugh, making jokes and all that. At his age, 82, he’s still moving around and doing things. And people love Mr. Joe. I’ve never heard anyone say anything negative about him,” he continued. “It’s a terrible situation.”
Current Mayor Nick Cox issued a statement after Cornelius’ death, writing, “Joe Cornelius’ years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. I am personally grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.”
Miles’ son, Uriah, 17, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the funeral of his mother of three, as well as to support him and his two younger brothers.
‘I am 17 years old, my mother and grandfather have left me on earth with my two brothers. I have to bury (sic) my mother on my own with the help of some relatives,’ he wrote.
The heartbroken son also took to Facebook to honor his mother, posting a tribute video.
“Long live Keisha,” she wrote. “I have no words to say right now. I’m only 31 and your 17 year old daughter has to bury me (sic) you. I’m so confused right now that I don’t know what to do. We never talk about these things. I pray that you find peace on the other side, Mom.