Man Accused of Killing Stepson Allegedly Showed Him Guns Because He Wanted to 'Look Cool': Complaint

A Wisconsin man who was arrested after authorities claim he fatally shot his stepson allegedly admitted to showing the boy guns prior to the shooting, which he said was accidental.

Steven D. Merkel Jr., 52, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of 8-year-old Michael Meagher, Geneva police previously said.

While police did not identify the boy, he was named in a GoFundMe campaign created by loved ones to help offset funeral costs. (The fundraiser previously said the boy’s age was 9 but it has since been updated to show his age as 8.)

Officers were called to a home in Lake Geneva, Wis., on a report of a shooting at around 2:25 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, according to a police release. Police said a boy had been shot and was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox 6, police at the scene claimed Merkel “seemed frantic and was covered in blood.” In an interview with detectives later that day, Merkel allegedly admitted to shooting the boy and said he showed him guns because he wanted to “look cool,” the complaint states.

The complaint further states that Merkel allegedly told a detective that when he shot the boy with the 9mm gun, he wasn’t expecting it to fire since he thought he’d taken out the magazine, according to the outlet. Merkel claimed he then called 911.

Police said Merkel is being held in Walworth County Jail. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

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The boy was a second-grade student at Brook Park Elementary School in La Grange Park, Ill., the school district confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of second-grade student Michael Meagher,” the Brookfield LaGrange Park District 95 said in the statement.

“Michael brought amazing energy to life at Brook Park Elementary, where he was known for his incredible kindness and was beloved by all. The entire school community mourns his loss.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will celebrate Michael’s life. Our focus now is on supporting the Meagher Family and our school community in every possible way during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.