NY Town of Chester Highway Superintendent John J. Reilly III arrested for shooting DoorDash driver
Share this @internewscast.com

An official from a New York town is accused of shooting at a DoorDash driver who was lost and had rung his doorbell seeking directions during a night delivery on May 2.

According to the New York State Police, John J. Reilly III, the Town of Chester Highway Superintendent, fired several shots at the 24-year-old delivery driver, hitting him in the back as he approached Reilly’s home in Chester, NY.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was carrying out a delivery for the well-known food delivery service in the wooded Valerie Drive neighborhood when he became disoriented with his navigation and went to multiple homes asking for help with directions.

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

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 spokesperson told the outlet. “We’re devastated by this senseless act of violence.”

The Post has reached out to DoorDash.

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.

Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge said he wouldn’t take a position on the case during the investigation, adding 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 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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
North Carolina woman charged in alleged Houston synagogue attack plot as investigators search for 2 others

Breaking: North Carolina Woman Arrested in Houston Synagogue Attack Plot as Authorities Hunt for Additional Suspects

A woman from North Carolina has been formally charged in connection with…
California ‘basic income’ experiment fails to provide ‘financial independence,’ study finds

California’s Basic Income Trial Falls Short on Promised Financial Independence, Study Reveals

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals…
Denmark train collision injures 18 people

Train Accident in Denmark Leaves 18 Injured

COPENHAGEN — A head-on collision involving two local trains occurred north of…
Sinister web unravels after massive FBI bust of Mexican Mafia crooks -- with kingpin 'Gangster' at the helm

FBI’s Major Operation Dismantles Mexican Mafia Network, Revealing Leader “Gangster” in Command

Luis Cardenas, known as “Gangster,” is a convicted murderer who, despite being…
Australian tourist trapped waist-deep in sewage after outback toilet collapses

Australian Traveler Rescued from Unusual Outback Toilet Mishap

In an unexpected and unpleasant twist during a family road trip through…
What to know if your flight is canceled amid rising jet fuel costs

Essential Tips for Navigating Flight Cancellations as Jet Fuel Prices Climb

Passenger rights differ significantly based on your flight destination. Here’s what you…
Former North Carolina police officer accused of threatening mass shooting at New Orleans festival

Ex-North Carolina Police Officer Faces Allegations of Threatening Mass Shooting at New Orleans Festival

A former police officer from North Carolina was taken into custody late…
Tranquilized bear that fell from tree in Albany released back into the wild

Tranquilized Bear Rescued from Albany Tree Successfully Returned to Natural Habitat

The escape was a bear necessity! The black bear that captured the…
Pete Hegseth warns Iran laying mines violates cease-fire, won't deny report it could take six months to clear the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Mine Threat: Pete Hegseth on Potential Six-Month Strait of Hormuz Crisis

On Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed concerns about Iran potentially…
NTSB report details how controller decision and tech failures led to deadly runway collision

NTSB Report Reveals Controller Decisions and Technical Failures Contributed to Fatal Runway Collision

A recent federal investigation has uncovered a series of safety lapses that…
NYPD cop racked up more than 500 speeding tickets in NYC since 2022: report

Shocking NYC Report: NYPD Officer Accumulates Over 500 Speeding Violations Since 2022 – A Deep Dive

An NYPD officer has been identified as one of New York City’s…
Lawmakers send letter demanding 'immediate action' on California's fuel crisis

Urgent Call to Action: Lawmakers Demand Swift Resolution to California’s Fuel Crisis

Bipartisan state lawmakers in California are pressing the state’s energy authorities to…