A young DoorDash driver is recovering after being shot in the back while delivering food in what authorities are calling a senseless and unprovoked attack. The shooter? A town official in Chester, New York. And the victim? A 24-year-old immigrant from Guinea-Bissau, just trying to do his job and make an honest living.
This harrowing incident, caught on home security footage, is sending shockwaves through both local communities and the growing population of gig economy workers who now fear for their safety in rural and suburban neighborhoods.
A Simple Delivery Turns Into a Nightmare
The victim, a newly arrived DoorDash worker, was making a food delivery on a rural road in Chester, Orange County. According to ABC7, he became disoriented while trying to find the correct address and, with his phone battery dying, sought help from nearby residents to ensure the food reached the right customer.
A neighbor directed him to a home where they believed the order may have been placed. That home belonged to John Reilly, a local town official.
What unfolded next was captured in chilling detail by Reilly’s doorbell camera.
Caught on Camera: Doorbell Footage Shows Terrifying Moment
As the young man approached the front door and knocked, Reilly opened the door. The delivery driver asked if he had ordered food.
Reilly’s alleged response was swift and aggressive:
“No. Get off my property.”
Without any signs of aggression or confrontation from the DoorDasher, the man turned around to return to his vehicle. But as he walked away, Reilly reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire.
According to New York State Police, the driver was struck in the back. Reilly continued to fire shots as the terrified worker scrambled back into his car.
“Go!” Reilly yelled, shooting more rounds as the man fled the scene.
Injured and Alone, He Sought Help
Despite being wounded, the driver managed to drive through the neighborhood, frantically stopping at another house for help. He later pulled into a gas station, but before he could call for assistance, he collapsed behind the wheel.
He eventually made it back to his home in Middletown, miles away from where the shooting occurred. Family members rushed him to the hospital. Thankfully, doctors were able to treat his injuries, and he survived the ordeal.
Police: Driver Posed “No Threat”
The incident left local authorities stunned.
“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,”
said New York State Police Capt. Joseph Kolek, as reported by The New York Post.
Investigators confirmed that the young man was completely unarmed and showed no signs of threatening behavior. He was simply confused and trying to get directions with a dying phone battery.
Community Outrage and Growing Fears Among Gig Workers
As details of the incident spread, so has public outrage. Many are pointing to this event as a stark reminder of the risks that delivery workers—especially immigrants and people of color—face in certain communities. For some, it echoes other high-profile cases where people of color were wrongly perceived as threats in situations that involved nothing more than knocking on the wrong door.
Others are calling for stricter accountability for public officials like Reilly, who are expected to serve their communities — not endanger innocent people. As of now, it is unclear whether Reilly has been arrested or charged in connection with the shooting.
The Bigger Picture: Safety for Gig Workers
This case raises serious concerns about the safety of gig economy workers in America. With millions of people relying on delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart, the risks faced by workers—especially in isolated or unfamiliar neighborhoods—are now front and center.
Advocacy groups are calling on platforms and lawmakers to:
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Improve GPS accuracy for deliveries in rural areas
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Offer emergency support or panic buttons in driver apps
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Hold customers and residents accountable for violence against delivery workers
A Narrow Escape With Lifelong Scars
The victim in this case is recovering physically, but the trauma of what happened is likely to last far longer. What should have been a routine delivery turned into a near-death experience—one he will carry for the rest of his life.
For now, one thing is clear: no one should be shot for knocking on the wrong door. And no one trying to deliver food should fear being gunned down for doing their job.
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