In the late afternoon of July 30, 2017, the life of 20-year-old Chance Edward Gallant, a White male from Sebago, Maine, was tragically cut short in what authorities would describe as an accidental shooting. The incident unfolded in a gravel pit off Carl Burnell Road in Baldwin, a place where Gallant and his friends regularly gathered for target practice.
On this particular Sunday, Gallant was with five friends when a rifle being handled by two of the individuals jammed.
As the two friends attempted to clear the malfunction, the firearm discharged. Gallant, who had reportedly walked toward them to offer assistance, was struck in the chest. The shooting was reported to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at approximately 1:45 p.m. Emergency responders, including those from Sebago Rescue and a Life Flight crew, worked for over an hour to save the young man's life, but his injuries proved fatal, and he died at the scene.
An aspiring firefighter and emergency medical technician, Chance Gallant was remembered by his community as a dedicated and upstanding young man. He was a 2014 graduate of Lake Region High School, where he had participated in the fire science vocational program, and had gone on to become a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Those who knew him described him as a responsible gun owner who was safety-conscious.
The investigation into the fatal shooting was conducted by both the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police. Authorities stated that there was no evidence of foul play, alcohol, or drugs being involved, characterizing the event as a heartbreaking accident. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, it was reported that no charges had been filed against the two individuals who were handling the rifle when it discharged. The case was to be reviewed by the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office to determine if any charges would be pursued.
