Stepfather Allegedly Shot and Killed 8-Year-Old While Showing Him His Guns in Attempt to 'Look Cool': Police

A Wisconsin man has been arrested and charged after an 8-year-old boy died of a gunshot wound earlier this week, officials say.

52-year-old Steven Merkel has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide after the alleged accidental shooting of 8-year-old Michael Meagher, Merkel's stepson. The Lake Geneva resident provided his account of events to a detective with the Walworth County Sheriff's Office in which he admitted that "he did something stupid, and it wasn't the (Meagher's) fault that the defendant shot him," says the criminal complaint obtained by Fox 6.

According to the statement he provided police, Merkel admitted to showing Meagher the guns he owned "because it made the defendant look cool." He first showed Meagher a stun gun, then going to his bedroom to retrieve a 9mm handgun to show the boy. He removed the magazine from the handgun, mistakenly believing it would not fire without a magazine. Merkel "stated that he walked out of the bedroom and pointed the gun at (Meagher). The defendant stated that the defendant pulled the trigger and was expecting it to click, but instead it went 'boom,' shooting (Meagher)."

Merkel admitted to calling the boy's grandmother initially after the incident, who urged him to call the police. He also stated that he had consumed "drank two little drinks of rum and RC that evening."

When officers arrived at the scene, a residence on Lincoln Drive, Merkel "seemed frantic and was covered in blood." He then directed law enforcement to Meagher, who was laying on the ground after having been shot. Meagher was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

"It's a hard scene for any officer; you never want to see that," said Geneva Police Chief Anthony Miceli.

"Our family is heartbroken. I want to try to help this family in any way that I can," said Katherine Koskinas, organizer of the GoFundMe for Meagher. "Michael was 9 years old & a bright, funny boy. Please pray for this family during this difficult time."

Merkel's bond has been set at $250,000. He is due in court on Monday, Jan. 27.