Chance Gallant

Chance Edward Gallant was an outgoing and dedicated young man with a magnetic personality who was known for his willingness to help anyone. The 20-year-old White male from Sebago, Maine, was a beloved only child who loved his family, friends, and his dog, Johnnie. A 2014 graduate of Lake Region High School, Chance was among the first students to enroll in the fire science vocational program. This passion for public service led him to become a volunteer firefighter and a certified Emergency Medical Technician for the town of Sebago. His mentor, Sebago EMS Deputy Chief Jason Schoolcraft, who had known Chance since elementary school, described him as an "upstanding young man" and a "great kid" who found purpose in helping his community. When not working his job as a forklift operator at the Poland Spring bottling facility or volunteering, Chance enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, or riding his Jet Ski on Sebago Lake.

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 30, 2017, Chance and five of his friends gathered for one of their regular monthly target practice sessions. They met at a familiar spot, a gravel and sand pit off Carl Burnell Road in Baldwin, a popular location for local gun enthusiasts. The group of young men, all in their early twenties, were enjoying their recreational shooting when one of their rifles jammed. As two of the friends worked to clear the malfunction, the situation took a tragic turn. According to his parents, investigators told them that Chance walked around a pickup truck to see if he could offer assistance with the jammed weapon. As he approached, the rifle discharged at close range.

The emergency call to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office came in at approximately 1:45 p.m. Two of Chance's friends, who were also firefighters, immediately began trying to save his life. First responders, including a crew from Sebago Rescue and a Life Flight helicopter team, arrived at the remote pit and worked for more than an hour to revive him. Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Chief Schoolcraft was devastated to realize the victim was one of his own EMTs. Despite the extensive efforts of his friends and the emergency crews, Chance’s injury, a single gunshot wound to the chest, was fatal. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation was conducted by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police. Investigators quickly determined that there was no evidence of foul play, alcohol, or drugs involved in the incident. Lt. David Hall of the sheriff's office characterized the event as "just a tragic accident." Chance's father noted that his son was extremely knowledgeable and "very safety-conscious" about firearms, even building his own rifle. Deputy Chief Schoolcraft echoed this, stating that Chance was a "great advocate for guns" and that the young men present were all "very knowledgeable, very cautious."

In the face of their heartbreak, Chance’s parents expressed forgiveness and understanding. His mother stated, "We don't hold anyone responsible," while his father acknowledged that the safety-conscious friends had simply made a mistake. The names of the two individuals handling the rifle when it discharged were not immediately released. Authorities stated that after an internal review, the case would be presented to the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office to determine if any charges would be filed.

The Lakes Region community mourned the loss of a young man who had already made a significant impact. Hundreds of friends and family members gathered to pay their final respects at a funeral service held on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the Sebago Town Hall. To honor his memory and his commitment to public service, the Chance E. Gallant Scholarship Fund was established at the Lake Region Vocational Center, ensuring his legacy would continue to help others.

As of August 2017, the investigation into the fatal shooting remained ongoing. While authorities had characterized the death as a tragic accident, the final determination on whether any charges would be pursued was pending review by the district attorney's office. No charges had been filed in the immediate aftermath of the incident.