Steven Lamar Hall, a 48-year-old resident of Florida, died on May 29, 2023, in Bonifay, Florida. The incident occurred at the Holiday Inn Express, where Hall was shot in the early morning hours.
The Holmes County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) received a call at 3:23 a.m. from a female, later identified as Lois K. Merkel of Panama City, who stated that she had accidentally shot a male while loading a firearm.
Upon arrival at 3:26 a.m., HCSO found Steven Lamar Hall with a gunshot wound to his leg. Hall was transported to Doctors Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Merkel told investigators that she had retrieved a .40 caliber handgun from a personal gun safe and was attempting to load a round into the chamber when the gun accidentally went off, shooting Hall. However, there were discrepancies between Merkel's statement and those of other witnesses, which the investigators were working to resolve.
As part of the investigation, the HCSO requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Crime Lab to perform forensic examinations on the room and vehicles. Search warrants were obtained, and a search of the room found methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription medications. Phone records were subpoenaed, and a toxicology test for Merkel was conducted. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed by the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office.
Merkel and Hall were reportedly engaged in an affair or romantic relationship. As of the initial investigation, Merkel was set to be charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana, with other charges potentially forthcoming upon completion of the investigation.
The investigation was ongoing, with the sheriff's office working to piece together the events surrounding Hall's death and collaborating with the State Attorney’s office to determine appropriate charges. The case remained under active investigation as of the last update.
