In Louisiana, an 11-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a former mayor, Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31.
Police say the boy, who is a family member, confessed after an adult brought him to the scene. According to the BBC, the community of Minden, where Cornelius was well-known, is in shock.
Cornelius had served as the city’s mayor and was a familiar face in the area, always bringing humor wherever he went.
The shooting took place on Sunday morning, and two guns believed to be the murder weapons were found hidden in the house.
Although the boy initially told a story that didn’t make sense, he later admitted to the crime, but the reason behind it is still unclear.
The police chief expressed his disbelief, especially given the young age of the suspect, and said that the community is still trying to understand why this happened.
Joe Cornelius Sr. had a long history of public service, including time as a city councilman, sheriff’s deputy, and community leader, making this tragedy even more painful for those who knew him.
The BBC notes that Minden’s current mayor, Nick Cox, has asked for prayers and support for the grieving family.
The boy is now facing charges of first-degree murder, and his bond has been set at $500,000. While there are reports that the shooting might have involved an argument over video games, police have not confirmed this detail yet.
The BBC’s coverage highlights the deep impact this incident has had on the small community.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdl3xg8de9o