Colorado city councilman who allegedly shot teenager in the face officially charged

Official charges have been filed against Brent Metz, the Colorado city councilman accused of shooting a 17-year-old boy in the face last week.

Metz is said to have shot the teenager who, along with his friend, jumped a fence to knock on the door of a property owner in Conifer to get permission to take photos of the high school graduation ceremonies. When it appeared that no one was home, they went back to their car on the side of the road to write a note for the property owner.

According to a police report, Metz drove up in his truck, pulled out a gun and shot the 17-year-old through the windshield of his Audi.

Metz was formally charged Tuesday with second-degree assault, two counts of dangerous assault and illegal use of a firearm – all felonies. The assault charge is a reduction from the second-degree assault charge he initially faced, and a charge of reckless endangerment was dropped.

Voicemail messages seeking comment were left for Metz and his attorney Tuesday, and when asked by a CBS News photographer, both declined interviews at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, but the two were seen entering and leaving the courthouse Tuesday morning.

The teens told officers they stopped in front of a property in the 23000 block of Pleasant Park Road at around 4:15 p.m. on September 10.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said the caller had no indication he had been robbed.

Investigators found the note the teens had written in a school folder. They say Metz said nothing before the shooting.

“There was no conversation,” Kelley said.

Metz did not explain to officers why the teenager was shot, but insisted on speaking to an attorney.

An affidavit states that the 17-year-old victim did not believe Metz shot him intentionally. His 15-year-old friend told authorities he heard the gunshot and saw the windshield shatter before ducking. He heard Metz say, “Oh shit, my gun went off.”

Kelley previously told CBS News Colorado that under Colorado law, it is not legal to use deadly force in defense of property unless there is reason to believe it would cause harm to oneself or others.

The sheriff's office later confirmed that Metz has a permit to carry a concealed handgun. If convicted of any of the crimes against him, he will be prohibited from legally owning or carrying a gun.

Metz was arrested at the scene last week but released on bail.

“Our office requested cash bail, but the court granted Metz a PR bond,” a spokesperson for District Attorney Alexis King said by email. With this type of bail, the defendant's signature is considered a promise to appear in court.

Metz was sworn in last year as a city council member in Mountain View, a small city in the Denver metropolitan area about 30 miles northeast of Conifer. His term ends in 2027.