A hero 16-year-old risked his life to save a stranger from gunfire in Frederick County, Maryland.
On August 9, Chase Lancaster, an honors student and football player, was at a clubhouse party on Galena Drive when shots suddenly rang out. In that chaotic moment, he made a split-second decision to protect a 17-year-old girl he didn’t know. Chase pulled her behind him, taking a bullet in the upper back of his chest.
The bullet damaged Chase’s kidney and liver, leaving him fighting for his life. His father, Alex Lancaster, shared that doctors initially doubted Chase would survive even two surgeries, but he’s now endured 14. “The bullet came in through the back side of upper chest, hit his kidney – bruised and injured his liver,” Alex explained.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s office confirmed Chase wasn’t the intended target.
The saved girl’s family expressed deep gratitude, stating, “Chase grabbed my daughter and pulled her behind him before they ran inside. Chase saved my daughter from being the one that was shot.” They added, “His family has been so kind to my daughter. We pray every day that Chase makes it through this terrible ordeal.”
Chase remains in intensive care, facing a long recovery. He’s lost over 100 units of blood and must relearn how to walk and talk. Despite these challenges, his father remains positive, focusing on Chase’s bravery. “He’s not a victim, he’s a hero,” Alex declared proudly.
The community has rallied around Chase and his family. A GoFundMe campaign is helping with hospital expenses, with some funds set aside as a reward for information leading to the shooter’s arrest. A local Gaithersburg business is also organizing a Zumba fundraiser to support Chase’s recovery.
While we celebrate Chase’s heroism, we must also address the issue of youth violence that led to this situation. As the saved girl’s family said, “No kid should have to live through what he has had to endure.” This incident calls us to work towards creating safer environments for our young people.
Chase and his family face a challenging road ahead. The physical and emotional toll of his injuries will require great strength to overcome. Yet, Chase’s spirit and the unwavering support of his family and community offer hope and inspiration to us all.
Let’s pray for Chase and his family during his recovery. We should also ask God to heal our communities and stop senseless violence. May we find the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s scary. Chase’s brave act can inspire us all to be better and always help others.
WATCH: Hero 16-Year-Old Shields Girl from Gunfire
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