Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were scouting locations for their homecoming photos in Conifer, Colorado, when a man who lives in the area "accidentally" opened fire on their vehicle, shooting one of the teens in the face. He was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
The teens told police they jumped over a fence and were walking around the man's property to ask someone for permission to take photos. When they couldn't find anyone, they returned to their vehicle to write a note.
While they were in their car, Brent Metz, the homeowner who also serves as a council member for Mountain View, a small town of less than 600 residents, drove up and blocked the teens' vehicle with his pickup truck. Without warning, Metz fired into the car's windshield and struck the 17-year-old.
According to an arrest affidavit, the victims believe Metz accidentally shot the teen because they heard him say "oh s*** my gun went off." He then allegedly attempted to help the wounded teenager but his friend stepped in and asked Metz why he shot his friend.
Cops were reportedly on their way to the location because a neighbor had called in two trespassers. Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesperson Jacki Kelley stated the caller did not state a robbery was occurring and under Colorado law, deadly force to defend a property can only be used if there is imminent harm to oneself or others.
Metz was arrested and taken to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office where he was charged with first-degree assault, felony menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, and reckless endangerment. He will return to court on Monday.
