Woodville, WI – A 22-year-old man has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly shooting his father. Ethan James Graverson is accused of fatally shooting his dad during a dispute at their residence.
Graverson called 911 around 12:45 p.m. on Friday, claiming his father was acting erratically and that he had to shoot him. When deputies arrived, they instructed him to exit the home and put down the weapon.
Graverson informed police that he shot his father multiple times, stating, “I don’t know, five, six maybe?” Officers discovered the victim slumped in a closet with gunshot wounds to his chest and groin. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, investigators found five shell casings from a 9 mm firearm on the kitchen floor. The victim’s wife arrived shortly after the incident, having been grocery shopping. She noted that her son had been struggling after a breakup about a year ago but did not observe any unusual behavior on the day of the shooting.
When asked if there were ongoing disputes between her husband and son, she expressed concern over her son’s wellbeing. Graverson was taken to the sheriff’s office where he reportedly exhibited little emotion, including a smirk and a chuckle.
During the interview, Graverson recounted the events leading to the shooting. He stated that after returning home around noon, he encountered his father drinking and they began arguing about life.
Graverson claimed his father’s demeanor was condescending, prompting him to retrieve a firearm from the garage. He indicated that this was the first time he had used the gun, despite having previously picked it up.
He described his father’s attempts to de-escalate the situation by suggesting they hug and later fight “man to man.” Graverson shot his father after feeling threatened, claiming that he aimed for the center mass.
Graverson mentioned he had contemplated harming his father since he was a child. Upon learning of his father’s death, he stated, “I don’t know how to react to that.”
Graverson is currently held at the Calumet County Jail on a $1 million bond.