An 8-year-old boy from Brookfield who attended Brook Park Elementary School in LaGrange Park was shot and killed Jan. 20 in Wisconsin.
Steven Merkel, 52, has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and was ordered Jan. 27 to stand trial for the boy’s death.
According to WGN, police were dispatched to Merkel’s Lake Geneva home around 2:25 a.m. on Jan. 20. They found the boy with a gunshot wound and transported him to a local hospital, where he died from his injury.
WISN 12 News reported that Merkel admitted to police he had been drinking when he tried to “be cool and exciting” by showing the boy a handgun. He told police he removed the magazine from the gun and thought it would not fire. When he pointed it at the boy and pulled the trigger, a round still in the chamber fired and struck the boy in the neck.
According to 12 News, prosecutors said in court Merkel has a history of alcohol-related offenses in Illinois.
Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 officials released a statement about the death of the second grader.
“Michael brought amazing energy to life at Brook Park Elementary, where he was known for his incredible kindness and was beloved by all,” the district said. “The entire school community mourns his loss.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser, organized by Katherine Koskinas on behalf of Michael’s family, has raised $24,520 as of Feb. 4 to pay for the boy’s funeral and other expenses.
Correction, March 7, 2025, 10:15 a.m.: A previous version of this article misstated Merkel’s relationship to Michael Meagher. The Landmark regrets the error.
