10-year-old boy reportedly confesses to shooting dead 82-year-old man and his daughter

A 10-year-old boy has allegedly confessed to shooting and killing a former city councilman and his daughter, Louisiana authorities say.

Officers in Minden, about 30 miles east of Shreveport, received a call at 6:30 a.m. Sunday about two bodies inside a home, Minden Police Chief Jared McIver told ABC News.

Responders found Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31, dead from multiple gunshot wounds, he said.

The 10-year-old suspect, who is related to the victims, “confessed to the crime of murdering both of them,” McIver said.

The 10-year-old boy, whose gender has not been released, was at the home that morning and is believed to have shot the victims between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., the chief said.

The motive is not known, the chief said.

Two guns that belonged to the home were found hidden on the property, the chief said, and shell casings at the scene were the same caliber as both weapons.

Police are bringing in a child expert to interview the suspect and help determine next steps, McIver said.

“We still have to put some pieces together,” the chief said. “The city can rest easy knowing that the suspect is off the street for a double homicide, but there’s also the shock factor that comes into play: How does a 10-year-old kid do this? There’s a sigh of relief, there’s shock, there’s grief, there’s a lot of different emotions that our city is going through right now. The only thing we can do right now is do the best we can with this case.”

The 82-year-old victim, Joe Cornelius Sr., was a longtime city councilor in Minden and at one point served as mayoral appointee, according to Minden Mayor Nick Cox.

“Joe Cornelius’ 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 in a statement. “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. Let us come together as a community to honor Joe’s memory and support one another during this time of grief.”