The community is supporting the family of Chase Lancaster, a Seneca Valley High School (Germantown) student who was shot on August 9th while shielding a teenage girl he had never met before when gunshots broke out at a party in Urbana, according to an interview with NBC4’s Aimee Cho. Chase has since undergone 14 surgeries and recently opened his eyes for the first time.
The Lancaster family has shared the following in a GoFundMe that has raised more than $21,000 to help the family during Chase’s recovery, “August 9th, Chase Lancaster, a vibrant and determined young man, was tragically shot and severely injured. Since that day, Chase has been in the care of the dedicated team at a local trauma center, fighting for his life with the same strength and determination that has always defined him”
According to the NBC4 interview, Chase was at a party at the clubhouse of the Urban Green Apartments in Urbana when witnesses state that a group of masked shooters opened fire. A girl who was in attendance at the party shared with NBC4 that Chase stepped in front of her to shield her, even though they had never met before.
Though being severely injured and just recently being able to suction his own breathing tube, the Lancaster family writes that “Chase has never been one to give up, and neither will we.” The GoFundMe states, “As his friends, family, and community, we are standing by his side, determined to help him overcome this challenge. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to ensure that Chase has every resource available to him as he battles his way back to health.”
Per the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office press release: “On Friday, August 9th, at approximately 10:22 PM, Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputies were called for reports of a shooting during a large gathering in the clubhouse of the Urban Green Apartments in the 3300 block of Galena Drive. Upon arrival, Deputies located a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest inside the clubhouse. Deputies quickly began rendering aid to the victim before EMS responded to assist.
During a preliminary investigation, witnesses told deputies they saw suspect(s) arrive at the gathering and begin firing toward a crowd of people before fleeing the scene. Troopers from Maryland State Police were requested to assist with a search in the area. It is not believed at this time that this is a random act of violence and there is no ongoing threat to the general public. The suspect(s), who have yet to be identified, are still outstanding at this time.
The juvenile victim was flown to an area trauma center where he is still being treated for his injuries. At this time there are no other victims reported. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Patterson at 301-600-4218 or the FCSO Tips Line at 301-600-4131.”