A recent shooting in Conifer, Colorado has ignited controversy over the use of force, property rights, and firearms responsibility. Brent John Metz, a town council member in Mountain View, reportedly shot a 17-year-old boy in the face while the teen sat in a vehicle parked near private property. The victim and his friend were reportedly writing a note to request permission to take homecoming photos by a nearby lake.
Metz has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including second-degree assault, felony menacing, and illegal discharge of a firearm. His defense claims the shooting was accidental — that his Sig Sauer P320 fired on its own without the trigger being pulled.
As both a firearms instructor and a Sig P320 owner, I have serious concerns about this case — not just about the act itself, but also about the misuse of legal self-defense claims.
Legal Standards Under Colorado Law: Was This a Justified Shooting?
Brent Metz is claiming the shooting was accidental, but if the defense later pivots toward a self-defense or defense-of-property argument, they’ll have to overcome serious legal obstacles under Colorado law.
C.R.S. § 18-1-704 – Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-1-704, the use of deadly force is only justified when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect themselves or another from the imminent use of unlawful force, specifically force that could cause serious bodily injury or death.
What Does “Reasonable Belief” Actually Mean?
In Colorado, the justification for using force — especially deadly force — hinges not just on what the defender felt, but whether that belief would make sense to a reasonable person in the same situation. This is known as the reasonable belief standard. It doesn’t matter if the person using force was nervous, startled, or simply “felt threatened.” What matters is whether an objective observer, knowing the same facts, would also believe that serious bodily injury or death was imminent. In this case, where the teens were unarmed, seated in a vehicle, and not acting aggressively, it’s hard to imagine how a reasonable person would perceive that as a deadly threat.
Evaluating Imminence Using AOJ
Imminence is evaluated using the AOJ standard:
- Ability – Did the threat have the means to cause serious harm?
- Opportunity – Were they in a position to carry it out?
- Jeopardy – Did their actions clearly show intent to inflict serious bodily injury or death?
In this case, the teens were seated, unarmed, and not acting aggressively. There was no apparent weapon, no hostile movement, and no verbal threats — meaning none of the AOJ elements were met.
C.R.S. § 18-1-705 – Use of Force in Defense of Premises
Metz was not the property owner, but even if he had been, § 18-1-705 only allows physical force — not deadly force — to stop an unlawful entry. Deadly force can only be used if someone is committing or attempting to commit a violent felony inside the premises. Simply being on private property does not qualify.
C.R.S. § 18-1-706 – Use of Force in Defense of Property
This statute allows reasonable physical force to prevent theft, trespass, or vandalism — but it does not authorize deadly force. You cannot shoot someone just to protect land, a vehicle, or personal items. Colorado law is very clear: Deadly force is reserved for imminent threats to human life — not property.
Additional Charges: Menacing and Illegal Discharge
Brent Metz has been charged with the following felonies:
- Felony Menacing: For knowingly placing someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon. The fact that the teens were shot at through a windshield while sitting in a car strengthens this charge.
- Illegal Discharge of a Firearm (§ 18-12-107.5): Metz fired into an occupied vehicle, which is a felony in Colorado — regardless of his intent.
These charges indicate that prosecutors do not believe this was a lawful use of force.
A Personal Note on the Sig Sauer P320 Defense
As someone who currently owns and uses two Sig Sauer P320s, I feel compelled to speak up.
I’ve had one of my P320s through a two-day intensive course at Sig Sauer Academy, where I fired over 750 rounds with zero issues. I’ve trained regularly with both pistols and carried them confidently. I also know multiple armed security guards, including my Captain, who have used the P320C in harsh, real-world conditions — including physical altercations. Still, none have ever reported an unintentional discharge.
The defense’s claim that the P320 fired without trigger input is not something I find believable — at least not without confirmation from a qualified gunsmith. I’ve worked with Rob at Bowers Tactical for over 14 years, and I’d trust someone like him to evaluate this firearm properly. Unless someone of that caliber inspects this pistol and finds a mechanical defect, I think this argument is a Hail Mary — not a credible defense.
Take Responsibility for Your Training and Legal Knowledge
Whether you’re a civilian, CCW holder, or armed security professional, this case is a stark reminder of how quickly a bad decision — or a false assumption — can turn into a felony charge. Owning a firearm is not enough. You must understand the law, train regularly, and have a legal safety net in place.
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✅ Know the Law Inside and Out
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✅ Train with Purpose Using Our Shooting Drills
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Stay Ready. Stay Informed.
You can’t afford to get this wrong. Get trained, get covered, and get educated — before you’re the next headline.
