(La Porte, IN) - Opening arguments were presented this morning in the trial of a La Porte County man accused of fatally shooting his son.

 

Jason Wetzel, 60, is charged with murder in La Porte Circuit Court.

 

According to court documents, Jeremiah Wetzel died in May 2020 after being shot twice inside a residence in the 8200 block of W. 1500 South. The suspect told investigators he and his son began drinking while watching a movie, and later Jeremiah became aggressive, police said.

 

Wetzel told investigators he warned his son to leave him alone or he would shoot him. Wetzel claimed his son then lunged at him, and he shot him in the stomach, according to court documents.

 

Police said the victim suffered another gunshot wound to the upper part of his right shoulder.

 

Wetzel told police he put his .22 caliber revolver back into a desk drawer after the shooting and called 911.

 

According to court documents, there were signs of a struggle inside the home, but Wetzel could not remember all of the details of what transpired before the shooting due to his level of intoxication. He recalled shoving between him and Jeremiah but could not say what triggered the argument, police said.

 

Wetzel also gave some indication of acts of violence involving his son in the past.