Colorado Teen Shot by Town Council Member: A Community Divided Over Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety

A Colorado town council member shot a teen in the face during what was meant to be a routine request for homecoming photo permission, igniting a fierce debate on gun rights and public safety.

At a Glance

A 17-year-old boy was shot in the face while seeking permission for homecoming photos on private property
The shooter, Brent Metz, is a member of the Mountain View Town Council
Metz was arrested and faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault
The incident has sparked discussions about responsible gun ownership and local government accountability
The teen victim did not believe the shooting was intentional

Incident Details

On Tuesday afternoon, a seemingly innocent quest for the perfect homecoming photo location turned tragic in Conifer, Colorado. Two teenage boys, seeking permission to use private property for their pictures, found themselves in a situation that quickly spiraled out of control. The 17-year-old victim and his 15-year-old friend drove to a property on Pleasant Park Road, parked at the gate, and entered the premises to speak with the homeowner.

As they were writing a note to the absent homeowner, Brent Metz, a Mountain View Town Council member and co-owner of the property, arrived on the scene. In a shocking turn of events, Metz allegedly fired his gun through the windshield of the teens’ car, striking the 17-year-old in the face. When deputies arrived, they found the victim bleeding heavily, with his friend applying pressure to the wound.

Legal Consequences and Community Response

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about gun ownership responsibilities and the actions of local officials. Metz was swiftly arrested and charged with first-degree assault, felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and reckless endangerment. 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 sheriff’s office has stated that they do not expect to charge the teens with trespassing, as there was no malicious intent. This decision has been met with approval from many in the community who view the boys’ actions as a simple misunderstanding rather than a criminal act.

A Jefferson County homeowner is accused of shooting a 17-year-old in the face as the teen was sitting in his car writing a note to ask for permission to take homecoming photos around the property https://t.co/ErAFq1BRod by @Noelle_Phillips

— Matt Sebastian (@mattsebastian) September 11, 2024

Unintended Discharge or Deliberate Act?

Interestingly, the victim himself has expressed doubt about whether the shooting was intentional. According to the arrest report, the teen told deputies he heard Metz exclaim, “Oh s**t, my gun went off,” immediately after the incident. This statement, along with reports that Metz attempted to help the injured teen afterward, has added a layer of complexity to the case.

“The 17-year-old told deputies he didn’t think Metz shot him intentionally. The teen ‘heard the driver (Brent) say ‘oh s**t, my gun went off,” according to the arrest report. The teen also told deputies that Metz tried to help after he fired the round, but the other boy, who’s 15 and a childhood friend of the alleged victim, pushed him away and ‘asked why he shot his friend.'”

Despite these mitigating factors, the severity of the charges against Metz reflects the gravity with which law enforcement is treating the incident. The gun used in the shooting was found in Metz’s truck, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.

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

Community Impact and Ongoing Debate

As the teen remains hospitalized, the incident has ignited passionate discussions about responsible gun ownership, the role of local government officials, and the balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety. The town of Mountain View has remained silent on the matter, with the mayor declining to comment and the town administrator not responding to inquiries.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding gun rights in America and the critical importance of level-headed leadership in local government. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the community of Conifer and the nation at large will be watching closely, seeking answers and accountability in this troubling incident.