Boy, 9, shot dead by stepdad in horror scene cop says he 'never wanted to see'
Share:
A nine-year-old boy was reportedly killed by his own stepfather in a shocking shooting that left police officers at the scene shaken. Police officers from the Lake Geneva Police Department were called to the scene of a reported shooting at a residence in the early hours of Monday morning. According to WSAZ.com, officers at the scene swiftly arrested Steven Merkel Jr, 52, and charged with first-degree reckless homicide before booking him into the Walworth County jail.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency medical teams the victim, now identified as Michael Meagher from Wisconsin, died after being transported to a local hospital. Merkel was the boy’s stepdad and lived at the address on Lincoln Avenue where the shooting occurred.
Police have not yet disclosed any further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting, or a motive. Geneva Police Chief Anthony Miceli said it was a traumatic scene for his officers. “It’s a hard scene for any officer; you never want to see that,” Miceli said.
READ MORE: NHS apologise after devastated mum got breast cancer 'whilst on waiting list for 18 months'. Following his tragic death, relatives of Michael Meagher have come together to start a GoFundMe to help with funeral arrangements. The page has, at the time of publication, already raised over $14,000 so far. A message from a family friend on the page reads: "Micheal, My sons best friend passed away today from a very traumatic accident of a gunshot. Our family is heartbroken. I want to try to help this family in any way that I can. Michael was nine-years-old and a bright funny boy! My son loved his friend.".
