Minden, LA — A small Louisiana town is reeling from a heartbreaking incident where a 10-year-old boy has reportedly confessed to the fatal shootings of two family members, including Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, a revered former mayor and city council member, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31. The incident, which unfolded early Sunday morning, allegedly stemmed from a domestic argument related to video games.
Police were summoned to a residence on Austin Street around 6:30 a.m., following reports of gunfire, where they found Cornelius and Miles deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. According to authorities, the young shooter, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, is related to the victims.
The community of Minden, located about 30 miles east of Shreveport, was disturbed by roughly eight gunshots that morning, according to local residents. The shootings took place in a quiet neighborhood, shaking the sense of peace typically enjoyed by the townsfolk.
After the incident, the boy was taken to the Minden Police Department by his guardian, where he purportedly admitted to the act. Police Chief Jared McIver noted that the boy displayed an unsettling lack of remorse when confessing to the killings.
It has been suggested that the dispute may have involved the boy’s frustration over charges made on a credit card for video games. A neighbor hinted that the boy, believed to possibly be autistic, had an altercation with his grandfather over the financial dispute prior to the tragic event. Nonetheless, police have yet to confirm details regarding the boy’s mental or neurological health.
The loss of Miles has left her family in deep grief, especially her three children. In the aftermath, her 17-year-old daughter has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to manage the unexpected funeral costs, appealing for public support and empathy in their time of mourning.
Cornelius, who was deeply respected for his service to the Minden community as well as in the local sheriff’s department, leaves behind a legacy of dedication to public service. His death has been a significant blow to the community, underscored by a poignant tribute from Minden Mayor Nick Cox, who commemorated Cornelius’s longstanding service and commitment to the town through social media.
As the investigations proceed, the Minden Police Department is focused on unraveling this tragic event that has significantly disturbed the tranquility of this typically peaceful town. This event not only leaves a community grieving two of its members but also grappling with the complexities involving the young relative charged with their deaths, pointing towards an urgent need for supportive interventions and conversations around family and youth dynamics in the community.