In a shocking incident in Mountain View, Colorado, Brent John Metz, a 39-year-old town councilman, was ousted from office following a special recall election on May 20, 2025. Metz, who had been facing serious criminal charges related to an alleged shooting of a 17-year-old boy, was removed after a 127-72 vote in favor of the recall. Ryan Debner, a council candidate, was elected to replace him.
The Incident That Led to the Recall
The charges against Metz stem from a September 2024 incident in which he allegedly shot the teenager in the face during a confrontation over trespassing on his property.
The event occurred when two teenagers approached Metz’s $1.5 million lakefront property in Conifer, hoping to take homecoming photos. When they were unable to reach anyone at the door, they returned to their car and began writing a note for the homeowner.
However, Brittany Loecher, Metz’s girlfriend and a fellow Mountain View council member, saw the teens and called both the police and Metz, reporting them for trespassing.
Metz arrived at the scene first, driving a black GMC Sierra and blocking the teens’ vehicle. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Metz got out of his vehicle, pulled a handgun, and pointed it at the teenagers.
The Shooting and Aftermath
Soon after, a gunshot was heard, and the teenager was left bleeding heavily from his face, with severe injuries to his mouth, nose, and eyes. Sheriff B. Guidroz confirmed the boy’s injuries were life-threatening, with a bullet fragment lodged in his head.
Despite the severity of the situation, the uninjured teen told deputies that he didn’t see the gun but only heard the shot, expressing that he didn’t think Metz intentionally fired. He further claimed that Metz tried to help him after the gun discharged.
Metz remained at the scene, but when questioned by law enforcement, he refused to answer whether he had fired the weapon and instead requested a lawyer.
Legal Charges and Public Response
Metz, a registered Republican, has been charged with several serious offenses, including:
- Second-degree assault (reckless causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon)
- Two counts of felony menacing
- Illegal discharge of a firearm
He pleaded not guilty in April 2025 and is currently out on a $5,000 bond. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2025, with prosecutors and defense attorneys in ongoing talks over a potential plea agreement.
Community Reaction and Recall
The recall election was organized after Metz refused to step down from his position, despite the grave nature of the charges against him. Former Mayor Jeff Kiddie, who played a pivotal role in the recall, expressed that the community could not ignore the violent incident, regardless of whether the shooting was accidental or not.
“The fact that the incident happened is kind of a blight on the town,” Kiddie said. “To have somebody make that rash judgment, accidental or not, just the act of pulling the firearm on two teenagers? It just doesn’t rise to that level of need.”
Before the recall, Metz sent a letter to constituents describing the shooting as an “unintentional discharge” and claiming that the teenager appeared to be recovering. He also justified his refusal to resign by stating, “What would you do, if you were wrongfully accused of a crime?”
Despite his defense, the majority of voters in the town felt that Metz’s actions were unacceptable, and he was removed from office following the special election.
Additional Developments
Loecher, who had reported the teens’ presence and called the police, has declined to speak to the press. Her attorney, Christopher R. Decker, released a statement saying she was “confident” that Metz would be found not guilty and that the facts would be established during trial.
Mountain View Mayor Emilie Mitcham did not respond to media inquiries about the case.