Former Louisiana Mayor, His Daughter Shot Dead by 10-Year-Old Boy After Argument Over Video Game: Police

A 10-year-old boy has allegedly confessed to shooting and killing a former Louisiana mayor and his daughter, police said, and neighbors say it was over a fight about a video game.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver told local reporters that officers responded to a residence on Austin Street and found 82-year-old Joe Cornelius Sr. and his daughter, 31-year-old Keisha Miles, dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

A guardian turned in the 10-year-old boy, a relative of the deceased, and he allegedly confessed to the killing.

McIver said the boy showed no remorse.

“Now people, I understand, and here is something I have to say, everyone grieves differently. But I think we all know what grieving looks like and what it should look like and I just, you know, didn’t see it,” McIver said.

A neighbor told KSLA they heard an argument about credit card charges for a video game before the shooting broke out.

“I think that’s what happened. He was arguing with him; I heard them hollering and stuff,” the neighbor told the outlet. “And Joe got to arguing with him. The boy just pulled a gun out. I mean, Joe used to be a sheriff, so he has guns because he worked for the sheriff’s department and the boy know where it was. It’s a sad thing.”

Along with being a former member of the sheriff's department, Cornelius was a longtime city council member in Minden, and was once appointed interim mayor of the northwest Louisiana town near Shreveport. He also ran local youth programs, and was a longtime activist in the community.

“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Joe Cornelius Sr., a former long-time Minden City councilman and former appointed mayor of Minden," Mayor Nick Cox said in a statement.

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"Joe Cornelius’s years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city," Cox said. "During this incredibly difficult time, I ask that we all keep Joe’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the midst of this tragedy."

The boy was taken into custody on two counts of first-degree murder.

TMX contributed to this report.