A 17-year-old boy was allegedly shot in the face by a Mountain View, Colorado, town council member who is accused of firing a round through the windshield of his car. The victim and his friend were reportedly trespassing on the property to inquire about taking homecoming photos.
A 17-year-old boy was allegedly shot in the face by a Colorado town council member on Friday, September 30, while searching for a spot to take homecoming photos on private property, authorities said.
The victim and his friend had reportedly jumped the fence of a property in Mountain View, Colorado, and were writing a note to the homeowner asking permission to take pictures when they were allegedly approached by 38-year-old Brent Metz, who is a member of the town council.
Teen Shot in Face by Colorado Town Council Member While Looking for Homecoming Photo Location
According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Metz allegedly got out of his truck and fired a round through the windshield of the boys' car, striking the driver in the face. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Metz was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, two counts of felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Teen Shot in Face by Colorado Town Council Member While Looking for Homecoming Photo Location
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office said that the investigation is ongoing and that no further information will be released at this time.
The shooting has raised concerns about gun violence and the use of excessive force by law enforcement in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 16,000 gun-related deaths in the United States so far in 2022.
Teen Shot in Face by Colorado Town Council Member While Looking for Homecoming Photo Location
The shooting has also sparked a debate about the rights of property owners to use deadly force to protect their property. Colorado law allows homeowners to use deadly force if they reasonably believe that they or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or seriously injured.
However, some legal experts have questioned whether Metz's use of deadly force in this case was justified. They argue that the boys were not posing an immediate threat to Metz and that he could have used less lethal means to deter them from trespassing on his property.
Teen Shot in Face by Colorado Town Council Member While Looking for Homecoming Photo Location
The case is still under investigation, and it is unclear what charges Metz will ultimately face. However, the shooting is a reminder of the importance of gun safety and the need to use deadly force only when absolutely necessary.
