Authorities in New York States have brought charges against the Town of Chester’s highway superintendent after he allegedly shot and injured a lost DoorDash driver who came to his home while seeking directions in order to make a delivery.
Per ABC7 New York, the May 2 incident occurred at the suspect John J. Reilly III’s residence at Valerie Drive in Chester. Reilly, 48, is said to have shot the unidentified victim in the back.
The New York State Police in a statement said that they were informed about a gunshot victim at Garnet Health Medical Center at 9:50 p.m. on the day of the shooting.
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“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was working as a DoorDash delivery driver and attempting to deliver food to a residence in the Valerie Drive neighborhood when he became lost and unable to navigate using the app,” authorities said.
“The victim had approached several homes asking for directions before arriving at the residence of John Reilly III. Reilly told the victim to get off his property, before firing multiple shots at the victim as he attempted to leave in his vehicle, striking the victim once in the back, causing serious physical injuries.”
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In the wake of the shooting, the 24-year-old victim’s relatives said that he hailed from West Africa and had recently relocated to Middletown, adding that he couldn’t speak English. They also said he was not familiar with the area and his phone had gone off while he was making the delivery.
The victim’s relatives said that he returned home in his car after the shooting because he thought he had committed an illegal act, ABC7 New York reported. They also said his recovery is going to be long.
Authorities arrested Reilly, who is also a federally-licensed firearms dealer, on May 3 and charged him with assault in the first degree – class B felony, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree – class C felony, and criminal possession of a firearm – class E felony.
He was arraigned at the Orange County Centralized Arraignment Part and remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $750,000 partially secured bond.
“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 said.
Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge in a statement also said that they were “deeply troubled by what has been reported so far,” the the Times Union reported. “We hope the person who was injured in the incident makes a full and healthy recovery,” Holdridge added.
Reilly is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing in the Town of Chester Court on Friday, May 9.
“No one should ever fear for their safety just for trying to make deliveries in their neighborhood,” a DoorDash spokesperson said. “We’re devastated by this senseless act of violence.”
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