Appalling moment town official fires gun at defenseless DoorDash driver who had stopped for directions
Shocking footage has been released of New York highway superintendent allegedly opening fire on a lost food delivery driver, striking the man in the back as he attempted to drive away after becoming lost and asking for directions.
John J. Reilly III, 48, an elected official for the Town of Chester and a federally licensed firearms dealer, is at the center of a criminal investigation into what law enforcement and town officials are calling an appalling and senseless act of violence.
A young man had been doing his best to deliver food for DoorDash in a town he barely knew when he pulled into a rural driveway to ask for help.
Minutes later, he was bleeding from wounds after being shot as he was attempting to drive out of Reilly's drive.
It was around 9:50pm on Friday May 2 when the 24-year-old delivery driver who had recently moved to Middletown found himself lost on the dark, winding backroads of Chester, roughly 60 miles north of New York City.
After his phone battery had died leaving him without any GPS, the man decided to knock on the door of a nearby house to ask for help.
According to New York State Police, the driver eventually reached Reilly's home.
What happened next was captured on doorbell camera footage and is now part of a police investigation. One town official described, it is 'disturbing to watch.'
Reilly came to the door armed and could be heard on the footage shouting at the driver to leave.
The delivery worker turned to comply and returned to his Toyota Corolla that was parked in the driveway.
The video sees Reilly firing a warning shot whilst yelling 'go!' before letting loose with at least two more rounds, one of which tore through the victim's car and into his body.
'He just started shooting at him,' a family member told reporters. 'He [the victim] thought his life was over.'
Incredibly, the wounded man managed to drive himself home, where he collapsed and was rushed to Garnet Health Medical Center.
He underwent emergency surgery and is now expected to require a second operation. Authorities say the injuries are non-fatal but potentially life-altering.
Brandon Holdridge, the Chester Town Supervisor, initially issued a measured statement but after seeing the footage, his tone shifted dramatically.
'I can't imagine what was going through minds in that scenario,' Holdridge said to ABC7. 'It's really just shock and disbelief.
'It's unfortunate that he was lost and his phone apparently was on 1% or something,' Holdridge added. 'I feel terrible for him. I hope that he makes a full and healthy recovery.'
Despite the graphic nature of the incident, Reilly was released from jail after posting $250,000 bail.
He faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a firearm.
The victim's family is calling for Reilly's immediate removal from office, but as Holdridge confirmed, Reilly is an elected official, and under New York state law, he cannot be removed unless he resigns.
The shooting has prompted outrage from DoorDash, the delivery platform the driver had been working for
Meanwhile, DoorDash, the company the victim worked for, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the shooting.
'We're devastated by this senseless act of violence,' the company said. 'No one should ever fear for their safety just for trying to make deliveries in their neighborhood. We're wishing the Dasher a full and speedy recovery.'
Reilly's background also adds a disturbing layer to the case. Not only is he a town official, he is also a federally licensed firearms dealer, a person authorized under federal law to sell weapons.
'There's nothing to indicate the victim had any nefarious intentions,' said State Police Capt. Joseph Kolek. 'He's just out there doing his job, trying to make a food delivery.'
That status has intensified scrutiny over whether someone in such a position should have opened fire under such circumstances.
'There's nothing to indicate the victim had any nefarious intentions,' said State Police Capt. Joseph Kolek. 'He's just out there doing his job, trying to make a food delivery.'
The Chester Police Department has recused itself from the case due to Reilly's political role, and the New York State Police and ATF are now handling the investigation.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office confirmed that a grand jury is considering whether to indict Reilly.
A preliminary hearing in Chester Town Court is scheduled for Friday.
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