Harrowing video shows man open fire on driver who stopped to ask for directions

News.com.au

12-05-2025

Shocking doorbell footage shows the moment a New York town official shot and wounded a DoorDash delivery driver who had stopped to ask for directions.
John J. Reilly III, 48, an elected highway superintendent in Chester and a federally licensed firearms dealer, is under investigation for shooting the unidentified 24-year-old driver in the back when he stopped outside his home on May 2 after his phone died, according to New York State Police.
Disturbing video first obtained by News12 shows Reilly walk out his front door and fire multiple shots at the delivery driver's car in the street after he'd approached multiple homes in the wooded neighbourhood looking for directions.
You can watch the footage in the video player above
'Go!' Reilly yells in the clip after firing a warning shot, before proceeding to continue firing at the vehicle as it peeled away.
The worker was hit once in the back as he attempted to flee in his car, according to New York State Police.
'I need help,' the West Africa native begged in another neighbour's doorbell camera moments earlier, according to WABC.
He later drove himself home, where he collapsed before he was rushed to the hospital.
Police said the driver wasn't doing anything suspicious and was 'just out there doing his job.'
'There's nothing to indicate the victim had any nefarious intentions; he's just out there doing his job, trying to make a food delivery,' New York State Police Capt. Joseph Kolek told reporters.
The driver's family recalled the harrowing encounter he had with the official.
'He asked the guy, 'Is this your order?' The guy said, 'No,' and proceeds to say, 'Get off my property.' He walks away, he's going about his day, going to his car, and the guy tries to murder him,' a relative of the driver told the outlet.
'He just started shooting at him and he thought his life was over.'
Reilly, a federally licensed firearm dealer, was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
He was booked into Orange County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Reilly has given no indication that he will step down.
'As an elected official, the Town Board does not have control over Mr. Reilly's future as highway superintendent,' Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge said in a statement after the shooting.
New York State Police is handling the investigation after the Chester Police Department recused itself from the case.