Photo: Joe Cornelius/Facebook; Keisha Miles/Facebook
A 10-year-old boy in Louisiana is in custody after he reportedly confessed to fatally shooting 82-year-old former Minden mayor Joe Cornelius and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles. The shocking incident took place at a residence in Minden on Sunday, September 1, with local reports from the Minden Press-Herald, and the Webster Parish Journal confirming the tragic deaths.
Police discovered the victims with multiple gunshot wounds, as stated by local authorities. Minden Police Chief Jared McIver confirmed the arrest of the young suspect, saying, “We have the suspect in custody now,” and added, “We have a confession from the suspect.” However, McIver acknowledged the complexities involved in cases with juveniles. “It’s very delicate. When you’re dealing with a child of this age, you know, in their stage, we’re looking at … was their motive, what was the motive?” he told KTBS.
Chief McIver also noted, “It’s one of those things that we’ve still got a lot of unanswered questions,” highlighting the ongoing investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the crime. He observed that while the child appeared “scared,” he seemed to have had a “mindset to commit a crime like this.” The nature of this mindset has yet to be clarified.
The child was accompanied by his grandmother, his legal guardian, during questioning. It remains unclear what specific charges the child faces or whether he has retained legal representation. Minden police did not provide additional comments on Monday, September 2.
Joe Cornelius was a respected figure in Minden, having served briefly as interim mayor in 2013 and as a former city councilman. Known for his community involvement, he was affectionately called “Mister Joe” and founded the Concerned Citizens of Minden in 1990 to address the lack of summer activities for children. The organization later raised funds for scholarships, benefiting many local students.
Minden Mayor Nick Cox paid tribute to Cornelius, remembering him as a devoted community servant. “Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community,” Cox said in a statement, reflecting on Cornelius’s significant impact on the town. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the profound loss and seeking answers to this tragic event.
