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A New York town official allegedly shot a lost DoorDash driver who rang his home doorbell looking for directions during a late-night delivery, according to cops.

Town of Chester highway superintendent John J. Reilly III fired multiple shots, striking the 24-year-old driver in the back when the worker approached his Chester, NY, home on May 2, according to New York State Police.

The unidentified driver was out on a delivery for the popular online food ordering service in the wooded Valerie Drive neighborhood when he lost his navigation and approached several homes asking for directions.


  The unidentified, 24-year-old DoorDash driver spotted on a doorbell camera in the Town of Chester neighborhood on May 2, 2025. ABC 7 The unidentified, 24-year-old DoorDash driver spotted on a doorbell camera in the Town of Chester neighborhood on May 2, 2025. ABC 7

“I need help,” the West Africa native cried out in a neighbor’s doorbell camera video, according to WABC.

Reilly was inside his Orange County home, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, when the driver approached the house at 9:50 p.m.

The town official warned the driver to get off his property before he drew a gun and shot at the stranger several times, police said

The worker was hit once in the back as he attempted to leave the residential neighborhood in his car.

The driver’s family recalled the harrowing encounter he had with Reilly.

“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,” one relative of the driver told the outlet. “He just started shooting at him and he thought his life was over.”


  Town of Chester highway superintendent John J. Reilly III was arrested and charged on May 3, 2025. New York State Police Town of Chester highway superintendent John J. Reilly III was arrested and charged on May 3, 2025. New York State Police

Police ruled 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.

Not knowing what to do, the driver drove back to his home in nearby Middletown before going to the hospital.

The man’s wounds were listed as serious but non-fatal, police said.

The driver had recently moved to the US from his native Guinea-Bissau to live with his family and was working for DoorDash to earn money.

“No one should ever fear for their safety just for trying to make deliveries in their neighborhood,” a DoorDash spokesperson told The Post. “We’re devastated by this senseless act of violence, and we’re wishing the Dasher a full and speedy recovery.

“We’ll continue to work closely with law enforcement as they investigate this tragic incident.” 


  The delivery driver was seriously wounded in the shooting. ABC 7 The delivery driver was seriously wounded in the shooting. ABC 7

Officials were alerted to the gunshot wound by hospital staff and arrested Reilly on May 3.

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 and is scheduled to appear in court on May 9.

The driver’s family found consolation knowing their loved one wasn’t killed.

“We’re not a hateful family or anything. Yes, the situation makes us angry, but we’re just very grateful that he’s alive, and we want this guy to get the punishment he deserves because he tried to kill him,” the relative added.


  A “No Trespassing” sign posted in front of the driveway leading to Reilly’s home after the shooting.
 A “No Trespassing” sign posted in front of the driveway leading to Reilly’s home after the shooting.

Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge said he wouldn’t take a position on the case during the investigation, adding that Reilly is “innocent until proven guilty.”

“The Town Board and I are aware of the ongoing situation concerning highway superintendent John Reilly. We are deeply troubled by what has been reported so far. We hope the person who was injured in the incident makes a full and healthy recovery,” Holdridge said.

New York State Police Troop F took over the investigation after the Chester Police Department recused itself from the case.

“As an elected official, the Town Board does not have control over Mr. Reilly’s future as highway superintendent,” Holdridge added.

He said the town will continue to run regular operations despite the investigation.

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