Man accused of killing 8-year-old in Town of Geneva
Updated: Jan. 23, 2025
TOWN OF GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Steven Merkel is now officially charged with first degree reckless-homicide use of a dangerous weapon, after police say he shot and killed his 8-year-old stepson, Michael Meagher.
Merkel appeared over Zoom in the courtroom Thursday, Jan. 23, where the district attorney's office presented the official criminal complaint that revealed new details of the incident.
The criminal complaint says Merkel stated he did something stupid and it wasn't the 8-year-old's fault Merkel shot him, saying he showed the boy guns to make himself look cool.
The complaint says Merkel grabbed a handgun, took the magazine out of the gun and pointed it at the boy pulling the trigger expecting it to click, but instead it went off.
Police say they found the boy with a gunshot wound laying on the floor in a pool of blood and was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The complaint says Merkel didn't believe the gun would fire without the magazine and says he also admitted he had drank two little drinks of rum and RC that evening. The shooting happened early Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the community continues to mourn the loss of the young boy who was known for his kindness. He was a 2nd grader at Brook Park Elementary School in Le Grange, Illinois.
Updated: Jan. 21, 2025
TOWN OF GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The man accused of shooting and killing a young child in Geneva was in the courtroom Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Steven Merkel, 52, is facing charges of first degree reckless homicide, according to the Walworth County District Attorney's Office.
Merkel appeared in court over Zoom, where the judge and the state stressed the seriousness of the crime and the harsh penalties that he could face.
"This is a serious charge and a serious incident," said Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld.
Police say they responded to the deadly shooting early Monday morning on the corner of Kale Road and Lincoln in the town of Geneva, for the report of a young male who had been shot.
The young boy was taken to the hospital where he later died. Merkel was then taken into custody.
The state says Merkel has a prior criminal history.
"Convictions for telephone harassment, assault, battery, those go back into the 90's but he does have an ongoing record," said Wiedenfeld.
Authorities have not identified the boy killed or Merkel's relationship to the boy. A verified GoFundMe identifies the victim by first name only. It says 9-year-old Michael of Geneva died from a gunshot. The fundraiser has been receiving a lot of support, raising thousands for the family as the community mourns the tragic loss.
This case is still under investigation by the Town of Geneva Police and the Sheriff's Office.
Merkel is being held in the Walworth County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond and will be back in the courtroom Thursday.
Published: Jan. 20, 2025
TOWN OF GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A 52-year-old man is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide following a fatal shooting in the Town of Geneva early Monday, Jan. 20.
Town of Geneva police officers and fire personnel responded to the corner of Kale and Lincoln at 2:25 a.m. for a report of a young male who had been shot.
Emergency responders transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later died.
The suspect, identified as Steven D. Merkel Jr. of Lake Geneva, was taken into custody and is being held in the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Jail. The case is still under investigation by the Town of Geneva Police Department and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.