TOWN OF GENEVA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Lake Geneva man will spend 25 years in prison for shooting and killing his 8-year-old stepson. 

Steven Merkel, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of 8-year-old Michael Meagher. 

Investigators said Merkel showed the boy guns to make himself look cool. On Jan. 20, officials said Merkel grabbed a handgun, took the magazine out and pointed the gun at the boy and pulled the trigger. He expected the gun to click but instead it went off. 

The boy was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Merkel allegedly told investigators he didn't believe the gun would fire without a magazine. He stated, according to the criminal complaint, he "did something stupid."