John R. Lefty Grehn, 61, was shot dead inside an Ashland, Ohio, home on January 1, 2026. Responders were called to an East Liberty Street residence about 2:15 p.m. after a 911 report of a shooting; Grehn was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. He was born in Chicago, worked many years in retail, and was known for his English pointer, Einstein.

Grehn lived in the house with longtime friend John Palermo and Palermo’s 24-year-old son, Robert Palermo. A dispute over Grehn’s dog reportedly escalated after an argument that briefly de-escalated. Prosecutors say Robert Palermo went upstairs, retrieved a handgun from a locked box and returned, then allegedly shot Grehn multiple times. John Palermo placed a 911 call and told dispatchers his son acted in self-defense and that he could not intervene because he is disabled.

Robert Palermo was taken into custody at the scene and charged with aggravated murder. Investigators executed a search warrant at the home and the coroner ordered an autopsy. He has pleaded not guilty and bond was set at $2 million; prosecutors are not seeking death at this time. Does anyone have information about Grehn, his movements that afternoon, or the household dynamic before January 1?