Pueblo man pleads guilty to shooting teen with pellet gun

Jason Lucero, 34, admitted to shooting a teen, who was on his way to steal marijuana from his backyard, with a pellet gun.

Jason Lucero plead guilty to second-degree assault for an Aug. 16 shooting involving a teenager, who investigators say was in a neighbor’s yard on the 400 block of Washington St. when Lucero shot him. The teen had to be rushed to Denver Children’s Hospital to be treated after being shot in the chest.

Investigators found about 115 marijuana plants in Jason Lucero’s backyard, some as high as 12 feet.

Only KRDO NewsChannel 13 was in court when Jason Lucero pleaded guilty.

“Mr. Lucero had absolutely no idea that there would be a serious injury inflicted upon this young gentleman who was in the process of breaking into his property,” said Jason Lucero’s attorney, Joe Koncilja, after the plea hearing. “The property had been broken into before. Mr. Lucero thought that this would be a prudent way to try and scare this particular individual off.”

Konciljia said the marijuana plants belong to Jason Lucero’s grandfather, Raymond Lucero, and have been removed from the property.

Jason Lucero will be back in court Feb. 11 for sentencing. His sentencing ranges from probation to up to eight years in prison.

As for the teen who was shot, Konciljia said he has made a full recovery. KRDO NewsChannel 13 is waiting to hear back from the district attorney’s office to learn whether charges will be filed against the teen.