Man who SHOT and KILLED 8-year-old stepson told police why he shot him

A Wisconsin man trying to “look cool” by showing off his guns to his 8-year-old stepson accidentally shot and killed the boy, telling police afterwards that “he did something stupid.”

Steven Merkel, 52, from Lake Geneva, is charged with reckless homicide in the death of his stepson, Michael Meagher... Continue reading here ▶

The shooting happened at a home on Lincoln Drive on Monday. Police and the district attorney’s office investigated the early morning shooting, which was reported around 2:25 a.m., and filed charges later that day.

Police and firefighters arrived at the scene and found the boy with a gunshot wound. They tried to save his life, but he died at the hospital.

When police arrived, Merkel “seemed frantic and was covered in blood,” according to court documents.

He allegedly told police that “he did something stupid, and it wasn’t Meagher’s fault” that he was shot. When asked why he was showing Meagher the guns, Merkel said “because it made [him] look cool.”

Merkel claimed he removed the magazine from the 9mm handgun and thought it wouldn’t fire without it.

The court documents say that Merkel “walked out of the bedroom and pointed the gun at Meagher.” He said he pulled the trigger, expecting to hear a click, but instead the gun fired, shooting Meagher.

Merkel admitted to police that he had shown Meagher his handgun before, even pointing it down at him while telling him to listen. He also admitted to having “two little drinks of rum and RC” that evening before the shooting.

A GoFundMe page started by a friend’s parent describes the incident as a “very traumatic accident.” It says, “Michael was 8 years old & a bright funny boy! My son loved his friend (Meagher).”

Merkel is being held on a $250,000 cash bond and is due in court on Monday. His initial court appearance was moved from Thursday.