Idaho Father Guns Down 18-Year-Old Daughter

A 51-year-old Idaho man is behind bars after he allegedly shot his 18-year-old daughter to death on Monday.

The Caldwell Police Department said it was called to the home at about 4 p.m. by another teen who said he found his father, Delbert Cornish, armed with gun when he arrived home. Officers found the boy outside the home when they arrived.

“The son indicated that Cornish made comments about shooting a family member and attempted to prevent him from escaping,” police said. “After a short struggle, the teenage son fled the home unharmed and called 911.”

When officers entered the home, they found the victim, later identified as Hope “Onyx” Cornish, and a firearm. The suspect, who apparently had fled the scene, was later located via license plate readers and other technology at another home in the city of Mountain Home, where he was arrested without incident.

Crystal Thompson, mother of Onyx, the teen who called 911, and a younger son who lives with her, told the Idaho Statesman she was “just so angry.”

“At one point in time, I loved this man,” she said. ” … my daughter’s dead. What the hell?”

Thompson said the two older children lived with Cornish and that Onyx and her father “always butted heads,” but she never expected violence. She said she hasn’t yet told her younger son, who has autism, about his sister’s death.

Delbert Cornish has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Police have not indicated a motive.

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[Featured image: Delbert Cornish/Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and Hope ‘Onyx’ Cornish/handout]