A trucker has been dubbed a hero for putting a stop to what is being called an “Old Western Shootout.”
On Sunday, in Augusta, Maine, a shooting took place after four people started arguing in a Walmart parking lot. According to Portland Press Herald, the altercation started “over money and that someone had someone else’s EBT card.”
Thirty-nine year old, Daniel Chavanne, who works as a truck driver for Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine, says that he reacted by instinct.
When he left Walmart, he heard gunshots in the parking lot.
That’s when Chavanne took out his legally carried Glock 42 pistol, announced to the group that he was armed, and told the individuals who were fighting to get onto the ground. Another man, also armed, rushed to the scene to assist the trucker. Chavanne got the situation under control, kicked a shooter’s gun away and held it in place with his foot.
Chavanne explained:
“That was the moment, that was the situation that was there and I reacted. All life is valuable. All lives matter.”
He added that he felt a duty to not only protect his family, but also innocent civilians.
“There would have been at least one body. They would not have stopped if they weren’t stopped.”
After the two men took over the scene, Chavanne’s mother called 911 from inside her car.
All four suspects were arrested. Police found more than 40 grams of heroin on the suspects.
45 -year-old Kweasia “Reggie” McBride of Harlem, New York was charged with reckless conduct with a firearm, and aggravated trafficking of heroin. His bail was set at $50,000.
27-year-old Frankie Dejesus of Rochester, New York was charged with reckless conduct with a firearm and aggravated assault. His bail was set at $25,000.
24 year-old Samantha Tupper of Augusta was charged with probation violation and furnishing heroin. She is being held without bail.
28-year-old Diana Davis of Rochester, New York was charged with aggravated assault. Her bail was set at $5,000.
Police say that although this situation ended well, they do no encourage bystanders to intervene in the future. They urge civilians to let the police handle violent situations.