Michael Anthony Grasak

A Beaver County man charged with shooting a man in the face in 2014 was paroled in Butler County Court Thursday, after receiving a county jail sentence.

Michael A. Grasak, 30, of South Heights was sentenced to nine to 23½ months in Butler County Prison by Judge William Shaffer. Shaffer granted him immediate parole on 15 days time served credit.

First Assistant District Attorney Patricia McLean said the immediate parole came after discussion with the victim, who said he was more concerned about medical bills and Grasak's ability to pay restitution than jail time.

Grasak's parole is followed by six years of probation, which Shaffer also granted could be transferred to Beaver County. He also was ordered to pay court costs and $5,965 in restitution.

Grasak pleaded guilty Nov. 30 to misdemeanor terroristic threats, simple assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.

He was initially charged with felony attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of recklessly endangering another person after an incident June 4, 2014.

The threats, simple assault and second reckless endangerment charge to which he pleaded Thursday were later added, and the remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea.

State police filed the charges after an incident on Route 38 in Oakland Township.

Police said Grasak and several people met at the Monroe Hotel, where they had been drinking, before going to the home of Ted E. Divers.

An argument later broke out between Divers and one of Grasak's friends. Grasak stepped in, police said, and played peacemaker before they were told to leave.

Police believe the initial argument was about a rap song and which artist performed it.

Shortly afterward Divers went looking for his dog and found Grasak and the others had not yet left, and another fight occurred, police said.

Grasak again stepped in to stop the fight but this time ended up scuffling with Divers, police said.

During the fight Grasak's loaded 9 mm pistol fell out of his pants. He retrieved it with his left hand, documents said, before hitting Divers in the head with the handgun.

At some point the gun fired, but Grasak apparently didn't know the shot had struck Divers, police said.

The 9 mm round hit Divers in the face, fracturing his skull, shattering his jawbone and obliterating the pallet of his mouth. Divers later was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Police said Divers managed to make it up to his house to the front door, where his father, who also lives there, met him. The commotion outside apparently awakened the elder Divers.

Grasak and his friends drove off, police said.

He was later arrested, and police said the gun used in the incident was found in his car.

During an interview with officers following his arrest, Grasak seemed to suggest the shooting was accidental, according to court documents.

He told police that he placed his Smith & Wesson pistol in his waistband when he got out of his car at Divers' home because he didn't know Divers or the victim's friends.

He told investigators that the gun went off as he was holding it during the fight.

Grasak's attorney, Lee Rothman, did not return a call for comment.