Man Warned Grandmother He Would ‘Defend’ Himself Before Fatally Shooting Father in Drunk Driving Dispute

A man who fatally shot his drunk father tried to have his case dismissed in court, citing self-defense. Both he and his public defender presented a case of self-defense to the judge, but the judge did not agree. He may get another chance to argue the case before the jury.

A 23-year-old man, Ethan Grasse, is being charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his 49-year-old father Michael Grasse.

Grasse fatally shot his father in November 2025.

According to reports filed by the local news outlet Cowboy State Daily, Grasse and his public defender presented a self-defense case before the Uinta County District Court on March 17. Grasse claimed that the day before the shooting, his father had been drinking heavily and made several threats to harm him physically. Grasse went so far as to buy a locking doorknob for his bedroom so that his father could not enter his room without permission.

According to court documents obtained by Cowboy State Daily, Michael Grasse was “drinking heavily” on November 21, 2025. He told his son he wanted to go out to get some food. Grasse drove his father to a restaurant and then returned home with him. Grasse parked his car in front of his father's vehicle to prevent him from driving while intoxicated.

Michael Grasse later went outside and began moving trash cans to maneuver his vehicle out from behind Ethan Grasse's car. Grasse heard the noise and went outside to warn his father that he would call the police if he attempted to drive. Michael then "physically attacked" his son. The fight ended when Grasse's grandmother intervened.

According to police, Grasse left the home and went to a friend's house to get away for some time. He also tried to find a place to stay for the night. When he was unable to do so, he went to Walmart and purchased a doorknob for his own bedroom. Grasse later returned home to find his father passed out on the couch.

According to court documents, Grasse took his father’s phone and keys and emptied several bottles of whiskey, while his father was unconscious. He then installed the new bedroom lock and then went to sleep.

At around 10 p.m., Michael began banging on Grasse’s door and threatening to break it down. Grasse replied he would return the keys and phone once his father was sober. Michael then went into his own room. At about 10:44 p.m., Grasse texted his grandmother, “He just woke up, I can hear him threatening me through the wall. not to make you more sad, but if he tries to break into my room, I will defend myself.”

According to authorities, Grasse woke again around 3:30 a.m. on November 22 when he heard someone banging on his door. He retrieved a 22 caliber handgun as the door was being forced open. Grasse then fired at least three shots through the door, after which he heard his father moan. Grasse then called 911 to report the incident.