Joe Cornelius Sr, Keisha Miles Obituary, Death – An 11-year-old boy has been taken into custody after admitting to the fatal shooting of former Louisiana mayor Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31, according to police officials. The incident occurred in Minden, Louisiana, a small city located east of Shreveport.
The bodies of Cornelius and Miles were discovered on Sunday morning at their residence. Officers responded to a call about a suspicious situation involving smoke and a motorcycle on the side of Highway 168 and Coffeberry Lane. Upon arrival, they found both victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Police Chief Jared McIver confirmed that two handguns, which had been hidden on the property, were used in the shooting. The weapons’ calibers matched the shell casings found at the scene.
Initially, police reported that the child involved was 10 years old, but further investigation revealed he is actually 11. Chief McIver noted that the boy is a relative of the victims but withheld additional details due to his age, which limits the information that can be disclosed.
The young suspect has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with his bond set at $500,000. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation. The child’s grandmother, who is Miles’ mother, was present when the boy confessed to the crime, but she declined to comment further, expressing only her heartbreak and noting that she had been advised by police not to speak publicly.
During the initial investigation, the boy provided a misleading account of the events, but by the afternoon, he had confessed to the shootings. The child did not show apparent remorse during the interrogation, according to McIver, who acknowledged that reactions to grief and remorse can vary widely.
At the time of the shooting, a 6-year-old was also present in the home but was not harmed. Authorities are still investigating how the boy gained access to the firearms involved in the incident.
Joe Cornelius was a prominent figure in Minden, known for his extensive community service. He served on the City Council and was appointed interim mayor in 2013 following the death of the sitting mayor. Cornelius was also a deputy ward marshal for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
In response to the tragedy, Minden Mayor Nick Cox expressed gratitude for Cornelius’s contributions to the community, describing him as a dedicated public servant. Cox urged the community to come together to honor Cornelius’s memory and support each other during this difficult time.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing, with police and other officials working to piece together the full story behind the tragic event.