The trial for Brent Metz, a 40-year-old former town council member, began this week in Golden, Colorado, following a true crime shooting incident that left a teenager injured. Metz is facing charges including second-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm, and two counts of felony menacing after he allegedly fired a shot that struck 17-year-old Jack Howard in the face.
According to Court TV, on September 10, 2024, Howard and his 15-year-old friend were scouting locations to take photos for an upcoming homecoming dance. The teenagers had identified a picturesque lake on a property in Conifer, Colorado, and initially jumped a fence to seek permission from the homeowner. When they found no one at home, they returned to their car, which was parked on a public road, and began writing a note to ask for permission to return.
It was while they were sitting in their vehicle that Metz allegedly arrived and confronted them. Prosecutors, led by Deputy District Attorney Christopher Johnson, argue that Metz acted with clear intent. Per Court TV, during opening statements, Johnson explained that “they picked the wrong house. And they picked the wrong people.” This is because Metz, who had been monitoring them, called the police to report kids “all over the place,” and then came to confront them with a gun.
This is where things begin to go wrong
Per Court TV, Metz told the court he had been monitoring the boys through security cameras. He then informed his girlfriend, who called 911 with the report. Neither of them was on the property, and, per Metz, his girlfriend assured the police they would stay off the property. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time 911 was called, where the events reported to 911 were different from the truth or what happened after.
Johnson stated that Metz allegedly decided to head to the scene himself. According to Court TV, he told the court that Metz and his girlfriend decided to “box in these boys. They’re gonna keep them from leaving. They’re gonna trap them.”
Per Court TV, Johnson remarked, “He came in hot. He knew exactly who was there. He was watching them on a video, and he knew they did nothing more than what you are going to see that they did. But he decided, rather than to wait for law enforcement, that he was going to teach these boys a lesson and approached them aggressively.”
According to Courthouse News Service, Johnson stated, “He brings a gun, a 9mm handgun that has a live round in the chamber ready to go. As soon as Jack opens the door, trying to figure out what is going on, Mr. Metz fires a single shot right into the windshield right to where the driver’s head would be.” The bullet shattered into three pieces, causing severe injuries to Howard, including damage to his nose, eye, lip, and teeth.
Metz’s Attorney, David Jones, however, argued that the shooting was a tragic accident rather than an intentional act of aggression. “As he’s stepping out of the truck, he moves it to his hip holster, but his left foot didn’t find the ground quite where he thought it would be. He loses his balance briefly and boom, this gun goes off in his hand without his intention and without his command,” Jones said during opening statements, as reported by CPR News.
The defense also pointed to the specific model of the firearm, a Sig Sauer P320. According to their statement, the firearm has been reported for prior safety concerns and lawsuits regarding the weapon’s potential to discharge without a trigger pull under certain conditions.
They emphasized that Metz, who had a concealed carry permit since he was 19 and experience with the Air Force, had no desire to harm the teenagers. According to Law&Crime, the sheriff’s office noted that the teens were not on the property when the shooting occurred, and they were not charged with any crimes, as their intentions were deemed innocent.
Per CPR, Howard, who survived the shooting, has filed a civil lawsuit against Metz. The complaint details the extensive medical care he required, including surgery to remove bullet fragments and treatment for fractures to his orbital floor and maxillary. The medical costs are reported to be over $100,000. There are prior examples of lawsuits where a faulty mechanism has led to severe injury, and tragically, even death.
As the trial continues at the Jefferson County Combined Court, the jury will be tasked with determining if Metz’s actions were the result of a reckless and intentional confrontation or, as the defense insists, a mechanical failure and a loss of balance. Metz, who was on the Mountain View Town Council at the time of the incident, lost his seat in a recall election in May 2025. The proceedings are expected to conclude by Friday.
Published: May 30, 2026 09:02 am