Steven Lamar Hall, 48, died of a gunshot wound after being shot in a Holiday Inn Express room in Bonifay, Florida, in the early morning hours of May 29, 2023. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office received a 3:23 a.m. call from a woman later identified as Lois K. Merkel of Panama City, who told deputies she had accidentally shot a man while loading a .40 caliber handgun taken from a personal safe.

Officers found Hall with a gunshot to his leg and he was taken to Doctors Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Investigators reported discrepancies between Merkel’s account and statements from other witnesses and were working to resolve those differences. Searches of the room turned up methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription medications; phone records were subpoenaed and Merkel submitted to toxicology testing. An autopsy was scheduled and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab was asked to examine the scene and vehicles.

Merkel was facing state possession charges and other charges were possible pending the ongoing investigation and review with the State Attorney’s office. If anyone has information about the events at the Holiday Inn Express that night or knew Hall or Merkel, please share what you know with investigators.