Town Council Member Involved in Teen Shooting Incident Raises Questions

A Colorado town council member faces serious charges after shooting a teenager in the face during a homecoming photo search gone wrong.

At a Glance

A 17-year-old boy was shot in the face while seeking permission for homecoming photos on private property
Brent Metz, a Mountain View Town Council member, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses
The incident occurred after the teens trespassed on Metz’s property, prompting a security alert
The teen victim did not believe the shooting was intentional, and Metz reportedly attempted to help afterward
The investigation is ongoing, with Metz scheduled to appear in court on Monday

Tragic Homecoming Photo Shoot Turns Violent

In a shocking turn of events, what should have been a simple search for the perfect homecoming photo location turned into a nightmare for two Colorado teenagers. On Tuesday afternoon, in the 23000 block of Pleasant Park Road near Conifer, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the face by Brent Metz, a member of the Mountain View Town Council and co-owner of the property where the incident occurred.

According to reports, the two teens had driven to the property, parked at the gate, and jumped the fence in search of an ideal spot for homecoming photos. As they were writing a note to the homeowner, Metz arrived on the scene, exited his truck, and fired through the car’s windshield, striking one of the teenagers in the face.

Security Alert Leads to Tragic Misunderstanding

The incident unfolded after the property’s co-owner, who was not present at the time, spotted the teens on a security camera and alerted Metz. This quick succession of events led to a confrontation that ended in gunfire. When deputies arrived, they found the victim bleeding heavily from his face, with his friend applying pressure using a T-shirt.

“A 17-year-old boy was shot in the face after he and another teen hopped a fence onto private property in Conifer to scope out a good place for homecoming photos, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. The boy told a sheriff’s deputy before he was taken by ambulance to a hospital that he and his friend drove to the property in Pleasant Park, parked at the home’s gate, jumped the fence and walked up the driveway to try to speak to the homeowner. When deputies arrived, they found the boy ‘bleeding heavily from his face’ and his friend applying pressure to his face with a T-shirt.” – Source

Interestingly, the victim reportedly told deputies that he did not believe Metz shot him intentionally. The teen stated that he heard Metz exclaim, “Oh (expletive), my gun went off,” immediately after the incident. Furthermore, Metz allegedly attempted to help the injured teen but was pushed away by the other boy.

Legal Consequences and Community Response

Following the shooting, Metz was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and reckless endangerment. The gun used in the shooting was found in Metz’s truck. He was booked on a $5,000 bond and assigned a public defender, with a court appearance scheduled for Monday.

“These kids were no longer on the property by the time the homeowner arrived,” Jacki Kelley, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, told FOX31’s Gabby Easterwood. “They were in the car writing a note on a public roadway. So any threat that he thought he may have to deal with was no longer on his property.” “There’s nothing about this that appears to be malicious, with any intent to commit crimes when they jumped over that fence and went to contact that homeowner. It doesn’t exist as far as we can tell. So likely not going to be charging these kids with trespassing,” Kelley said.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about gun safety and property rights. The town of Mountain View has yet to comment on the situation, and both the mayor and town administrator have remained silent on the matter. As the investigation continues, many are left wondering how a simple search for a photo location could have escalated so dramatically.

Teen shot in the face by town council member while seeking permission to take homecoming pics in Colorado https://t.co/8yWZPDfQFE pic.twitter.com/1cAIkLWkCE

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) September 12, 2024

Ongoing Investigation and Recovery

As of Wednesday, the teenage victim was still hospitalized, with no further information provided about his injuries or condition. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has stated that they do not expect to charge the teens with trespassing, as there was no malicious intent behind their actions.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the potential consequences of misunderstandings in tense situations. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shooting, many are calling for increased dialogue on property rights, personal safety, and the proper use of force in self-defense situations.