Ethan Grasse, 23, is facing second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of his father, Michael Grasse, 49, who was fatally shot in November 2025. The case took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when Grasse attempted to have the charges dismissed, arguing that he acted in self-defense.
However, Uinta County District Court Judge James Kaste disagreed with the dismissal, although he allowed the defense to argue self-defense at trial.
The Shooting Incident
The events leading to Michael Grasse’s death began on November 21, 2025, when the father, reportedly intoxicated, threatened his son, Ethan. The two had been involved in an argument earlier in the day, after Michael Grasse, in a drunken state, attempted to drive while intoxicated.
Ethan Grasse took the keys from his father’s car to prevent him from driving and parked his own car behind his father’s vehicle to further stop him.
Later that night, the tension escalated when Michael Grasse began moving trash cans to free his car, prompting Ethan to intervene and threaten to call the police if his father continued. The confrontation turned physical, but Michael Grasse’s mother intervened and stopped the altercation.
Following the fight, Ethan left the home to cool down and later purchased a locking doorknob to secure his bedroom door from his father, fearing further violence. When he returned home, he found his father passed out on the couch and, after taking his keys and phone, locked himself in his room.
The Fatal Shooting
The situation escalated further that night when Michael Grasse began banging on Ethan’s bedroom door and threatening him. Ethan texted his grandmother, telling her that if his father tried to break down the door, he would defend himself.
Around 3:30 a.m., after hearing more banging on his door, Ethan, unable to see clearly without his glasses, allegedly fired at least three shots through the door, striking his father. After realizing his father had been hit, Ethan immediately called 911.
Michael Grasse was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead at 4:22 a.m. Ethan later explained that he did not intend to kill his father but rather acted in self-defense from what he perceived as an intruder.
Legal Proceedings
In court, the defense presented their argument of self-defense, claiming that Ethan acted out of fear for his safety. However, Judge Kaste did not agree to dismiss the charges, but ruled that the defense could still present the self-defense argument at trial.
Ethan Grasse is facing second-degree murder charges and remains in custody at the Uinta County Jail. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 12, 2025.
Emotional Impact and Community Reaction
The case has drawn significant attention in the local community, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the tragic shooting.
The defense’s argument of self-defense and the decision to pursue a second-degree murder charge highlights the complex nature of the case, and the trial will likely focus on the facts of the shooting and Ethan’s perception of the threat posed by his father.
