Teen shot in the face while looking for location to take pictures

A recent incident in Mountain View, Colorado, has drawn significant attention due to its alarming nature and the involvement of a local town council member. On September 10, 2024, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the face by Brent Metz, a 38-year-old member of the Mountain View Town Council, while the teenager was searching for a location to take homecoming pictures. This incident has raised questions about gun violence, property rights, and the responsibilities of public officials.

The event unfolded when the teenager, accompanied by a friend, drove to a property in Jefferson County to explore it as a potential backdrop for their homecoming photos. The boys parked their vehicle at the property's gate, jumped over the fence, and attempted to contact the homeowner by knocking on the door. Finding no one home, they decided to return to their car and write a note to the homeowner seeking permission to use the property for their photoshoot.

Unbeknownst to the teenagers, the homeowner had already contacted her boyfriend, Brent Metz, after noticing what she believed to be trespassers on her property. Metz arrived at the scene, parked his truck next to the teenagers' car, and fired a shot through the windshield, striking the 17-year-old driver in the face. The shot left the teenager bleeding heavily, with his friend using a T-shirt to apply pressure to the wound until help arrived.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident, finding the injured teenager and his friend at the scene. The teenager was immediately transported to a hospital, where doctors discovered a possible bullet fragment lodged in his head. His current condition remains serious, but he is reportedly receiving treatment for his injuries.

Brent Metz was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm, felony menacing, and reckless endangerment. The charges reflect the severity of the incident and the potential consequences of his actions. Metz, who has not publicly commented on the incident, was taken into custody and is awaiting further legal proceedings. His bond was set at $5,000.

The incident has sparked a debate about the appropriate use of firearms and the responsibilities of property owners and public officials. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has stated that the teenagers did not appear to have any malicious intent when they entered the property. They were simply looking for a picturesque location for their homecoming photos, a common practice among high school students. As such, the sheriff's office has indicated that the teenagers are unlikely to face trespassing charges.

This shooting has also raised concerns about the conduct of public officials, as Metz's role as a town council member adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The community is grappling with the implications of the incident, particularly in terms of trust in local governance and the use of force in civilian interactions.

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of firearms use and the importance of measured responses to perceived threats. The community and authorities alike are closely watching the developments in this case, hoping for a resolution that addresses both the legal and ethical dimensions of the incident.