A Lake Geneva man charged with reckless homicide in the death of an 8-year-old boy this week was reportedly playing with a handgun. Steven Merkel, 52, was trying to look cool in front of Michael Meagher when he ended up doing something stupid.

Police said eight-year-old Michael Meagher died after being shot by a handgun at a home on Lincoln Avenue near Lake Geneva. He was a second grader at Brook Park Elementary School in LaGrange Park.

Early Monday morning, Town of Geneva police officers were called to Lincoln Drive near Lake Como for a 9-year-old boy who had been shot. First responders treated him at the scene and took him to the hospital.

Steven D. Merkel, 52, of the Lincoln Avenue address, was charged with first-degree reckless homicide in Michael Meagher's death.