A 52-year-old Wisconsin man has been charged within the deadly taking pictures of his 9-year-old stepson, police introduced this week.
Michael Meagher was shot Monday within the City of Geneva, southwest of Milwaukee. Two officers found the boy shortly earlier than 2:30 a.m. and commenced life-saving efforts. Emergency responders rushed the boy to a close-by hospital however he succumbed to his accidents.
When police arrived the boy’s stepfather, Steven Merkel Jr., instructed them: “I did one thing silly,” based on the grievance in opposition to him that was obtained by native media. Merkel “appeared frantic and was lined in blood.,” the grievance reportedly added.
Merkel has been charged with first-degree reckless murder.
“It was a tough scene,” City of Geneva Police Chief Anthony Miceli instructed WISN of the taking pictures.
“It’s a tough scene for any officer, irrespective of what number of instances you’ve seen it, and even if you happen to’ve by no means been there earlier than,” he added. “It’s most likely the toughest scene for a police officer to expertise in his lifetime.”
In keeping with the prison grievance, Merkel instructed detectives he was exhibiting Michael his 9mm handgun as a result of it made him look “cool” and didn’t consider the gun would fireplace after eradicating its journal.
Investigators mentioned Merkel instructed them he pointed the gun at Michael and pulled the set off. The stepdad instructed detectives he anticipated the gun to “click on and as a substitute it went ‘increase,’” the grievance acknowledged.
A GoFundMe website has been launched to assist increase cash for Michael’s household. The location states that Michael died from “a really traumatic accident of a gunshot.”
The one that launched the web page mentioned her son was finest buddies with Michael, who was a second-grader at Brooke Park Elementary College in La Grange Park, Illinois
“Our household is heartbroken. I need to attempt to assist this household in any approach that I can,” Katherine Koskinas wrote. Michael was “a brilliant humorous boy! My son cherished his good friend,” she added.
Michael leaves behind two sisters, Marissa and Madeline, the web page states. The funds raised — $18.000 out of a $22,000 aim as of Thursday — will assist pay for funeral preparations.
Merkel has been booked into the Walworth County Jail.
