11-year-old boy charged with killing former Louisiana city mayor, his daughter: Police

An 11-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after being accused of shooting a former Louisiana city mayor and his adult daughter, police said.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver announced the boy's arrest at a news conference Tuesday and confirmed the deaths of Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31.

"I just want to start out by giving our condolences to the family," McIver said. "This is a very tough issue to be dealing with, and the city mourns with you as well. The city is also in shock."

Minden police officers got a 911 call about the shooting Sunday around 6:30 a.m., according to McIver. The caller, who the chief said was a family member, told the operator two people were dead inside a home.

Cornelius and Miles were found in the home dead from multiple gunshot wounds, the chief said. Investigators found two guns hidden on the property that matched the shell casings found at the scene, he said.

11-year-old boy confesses to murders, police chief says

Detectives soon interviewed the 11-year-old boy, who was at the scene when officers responded, McIver said. After the boy gave authorities a story that "didn't add up," he later confessed to the shootings, according to the chief.

The boy's relationship with Cornelius and Miles was unclear, and while police were not specific, McIver said he is their family member.

"A lot of questions have arose about what is the 'why' behind this. We do not know that yet," the chief said. "We are still piecing the puzzle pieces together right now."

McIver also did not disclose what guns were used to in the shootings.

"When it comes to a crime like this, if a person wants to do harm to someone it doesn't matter the weapon," he said. "They're going to find something to use. In this case, firearms were used."

The 11-year-old remains in custody on a $500,000 bond, McIver said.

'This is a somber day for our community'

Joe Cornelius Sr. had been a longtime city council member and interim mayor of Minden, Louisiana, current Minden Mayor Nick Cox said at the news conference.

"This is a somber day for our community as we face this tragedy that has deeply affected us all, our hearts and prayers are with the Cornelius family and their friends during this unimaginable time," Cox said. "Joe Cornelius was more than just a public servant, he was a committed leader who dedicated many years to the service of the city of Minden."

McIver said Cornelius has "been around" and everybody knew him, which is why his death "hurts the most."

"When you know somebody that's been in the community that long, (and) that's reached so many people there, there's a sorrow."