Horrific tragedy after stepdad, 53, showed boy, 8, his guns ‘to make himself look cool’

A Wisconsin stepfather who showed his guns to his eight-year-old stepson to make himself ‘look cool’ before fatally shooting the boy has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Steven Merkel, 53, pleaded guilty in August to first-degree reckless homicide in the January 20 death of Michael Meagher in the town of Geneva, Fox 6 reported.

Merkel had been showing the boy his weapons when he walked into his bedroom to grab a 9mm handgun before removing its magazine.

He then pointed the gun at Meagher and pulled the trigger, expecting it to click harmlessly, but it fired and struck the boy.

Merkel then called the boy’s grandmother, who told him to contact 911.

Police arrived to find Merkel covered in blood and frantic, the complaint said, according to Fox 6.

Meagher was found by authorities lying on the floor and emergency personnel performed life-saving measures.

He was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

Michael Meagher was fatally shot by his stepfather, Steven Merkel, while showing the boy his guns because it ‘made the defendant look cool’

Merkel, 53, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the killing

Merkel told police he was showing the child his stun gun and handgun because it ‘made the defendant look cool,’ the complaint said.

He admitted told police that he ‘did something stupid’ and said it wasn’t the child’s fault.

Merkel’s 25-year sentence includes 10 years of post-release supervision.

The boy’s mother, Melissa Meagher, remembered her son as someone who made friends everywhere he went.

‘Even if we went somewhere for a half hour, to a park or something, he made friends, and he really loved his friends,’ she told Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.

‘One time, I picked him up, and somebody made him this coloring or drawing, and he was like: “Don’t lose that, Mom. One of my friends made that for me.” He just cherished everything about his friends.’

Melissa also remembered her son’s humor and the joy he spread to others.

‘He had a fantastic sense of humor and an awesome laugh, and he brightened up many days with his smile,’ she told the publication.

Meager’s family remembered him as a joyous little boy who liked listening to music and making new friends

‘It’s unbearable,’ Meagher’s mother said of the pain of losing her son

Merkel’s 25-year sentence includes 10 years of post-release supervision

The second-grader also loved listening to Imagine Dragons and Juice WRLD and enjoyed dancing.

‘It’s unbearable,’ his mother said of losing him.

‘You wouldn’t believe the amount of pain. I can’t explain it in words. A part of me died, too, that day. I’ll never be the same without him.’

She and her daughters are taking things ‘one day at a time’ as they move on.