A teenager in Colorado was shot in the face by a Town Council member after attempting to ask the official’s girlfriend for permission to take homecoming photos on her property. The 17-year-old and a friend hopped the fence at a home in Conifer, southwest of Denver, to speak with the homeowner about using their property for the photos. When they were unsuccessful in finding the homeowner, they returned to their car to write a note to ask for permission. Shortly after, a man named Brent Metz, 38, arrived in a truck and shot at the boys through the car windshield, hitting one of them in the face.
The homeowner had called the police to report trespassers and found the wounded boy bleeding heavily in his car while his friend tried to apply pressure to the wound. Metz, the homeowner’s boyfriend and a Town Council member, had been called to the home by his girlfriend who saw the teens on her security system. The note written by the teens was found at the scene, corroborating their story. The teen injured in the shooting did not believe that Metz had intentionally shot him, as he overheard Metz saying his gun went off accidentally. Following the shooting, Metz attempted to help the boys but was pushed away by the other friend, who questioned why he had shot his companion.
Upon arrival, officers found Metz’s gun inside his truck, and he was standing next to the boys. The sheriff’s department did not disclose the type of firearm used in the shooting. Metz, a Mountain View Town Council member in a town with a population of just over 500 residents, was arrested on charges including first-degree assault, felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and reckless endangerment. He was sworn into office last year, and his term is set to expire in 2027. The teenager who was shot remained hospitalized as of Wednesday following the incident.
The shooting occurred after the teenagers entered the property to seek permission for a homecoming photoshoot, leading to a confrontation with Metz. Despite the teens’ intention to ask for permission, the situation escalated when Metz arrived and shot at them through the car windshield. The injured teenager was left bleeding heavily from his face, prompting his friend to apply pressure to the wound and call for help. Metz’s actions were reported by the authorities, leading to his arrest on multiple charges related to the shooting.
The swift response by law enforcement led to Metz’s arrest on charges of first-degree assault and other serious offenses. Despite the victim’s belief that the shooting was accidental, Metz was held accountable for his actions. The incident highlighted the potential dangers of using firearms in confrontations, especially when individuals are not properly trained to handle them. The injured teenager’s hospitalization underscored the severity of the situation, prompting further investigation and legal action against the perpetrator. The community’s reaction to the shooting reflected shock and concern over the violent incident involving a prominent town official.
