Chance Avery Galloway was known for his selfless nature, infectious sense of humor, and the joy he brought to those around him. A 25-year-old man from Piedmont, South Carolina, he was remembered by his family as a good kid who would do anything for anyone. Born in Easley, Chance was the son of Larry Scott Galloway and Buffie Lynn Scott. He was part of a large, loving family that included numerous sisters and brothers.
He enjoyed music, hiking, video games, and spending time at the lake with his family. Chance was pursuing a business degree at Greenville Technical College and dreamed of one day opening a family restaurant. His kindness was a defining trait, one that led him to open his home to a man who had nowhere else to go.
That man was 22-year-old Chance Xavier May. Galloway had known May for about eight months and, learning that May was living out of his car, offered him a place to stay. This act of compassion had a tragic and unforeseen outcome in the early morning hours of Friday, October 2, 2026. Inside the residence they shared on Chapman Lane in Piedmont, a verbal altercation broke out between the two roommates. The argument escalated, and May allegedly drew a firearm and shot Galloway.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting the shooting at approximately 4:05 a.m. When deputies arrived at the Chapman Lane home, they found Chance Galloway with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Greenville County Coroner's Office later performed an autopsy and officially ruled his death a homicide. Investigators quickly identified his roommate, Chance May, as the shooter.
Following the initial investigation, deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chance Xavier May. He was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. May was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center, where a judge denied his bond. Galloway’s family, who attended the bond hearing, expressed their relief at the judge's decision.
“He tried to help this monster in that jail cell get off the streets, out of the kindness of his heart and he was murdered because of it,” one of Galloway’s siblings told reporters after the hearing. His sister, Codie Galloway, shared the family’s profound sense of loss. “I just love him and am going to miss him,” she said. “It’s just hard losing a little brother who didn’t deserve this.” The family said the killing left a hole in their hearts.
A visitation for friends and family was held on Tuesday, October 6, at Gray Mortuary in Pelzer, followed by a memorial service in the mortuary chapel. In his memory, his family requested that donations be made to The Music Club of Greenville. As of October 2026, the case against Chance Xavier May is pending in the court system.
