DoorDash driver shot in Chester testifies; says he never asked to enter town official's home
The 24-year-old man took the stand Tuesday with the help of a French interpreter and described what he says happened the night he was shot outside the home of Chester Highway Superintendent John Reilly in May 2025.
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Testimony is now underway in Orange County Court in the trial of a Chester town official accused of shooting a DoorDash delivery driver — and for the first time, jurors are hearing directly from the victim.
Alpha Barry, 24, took the stand Tuesday with the help of a French interpreter and described what he says happened the night he was shot outside the home of Chester Highway Superintendent John Reilly in May 2025.
His account sharply contradicts the version of events laid out by the defense during opening statements.
Barry testified that he had come to the United States legally on a visa just weeks before the shooting and was living with his sister in Middletown while taking English classes at SUNY Orange.
He said he was working DoorDash deliveries the night of the shooting when his phone died, leaving him lost in a Chester neighborhood.
Trying to complete the delivery, he said he went door to door and eventually arrived at Reilly’s home.
Barry testified that when Reilly answered the door, he first asked if it was his food and then, in broken English, asked if he could charge his phone.
“I have DoorDash delivery. My phone is broke. I don’t know who ordered delivery. I need to charge my phone,” he recalled to jurors.
Barry said he did not expect or want to go inside the home and only wanted help charging his phone, adding that he heard dogs barking and is afraid of dogs.
He told jurors that Reilly became angry and told him to leave the property.
The victim testified he responded, “Sorry, have a nice day,” and walked back to his car.
He said he never asked to go inside the home.
The testimony directly contradicts the defense’s claim that the victim asked twice to enter the home to charge his phone.
Jurors were also shown surveillance video, including footage previously obtained by News 12, that appears to show Reilly firing three shots as the driver tries to leave in his car.
The video does not capture the verbal exchange at the door.
The victim testified he was trying to turn his car around in Reilly's driveway to leave when he heard gunshots and was struck in the back. He said one bullet tore through his intestines.
“I thought I was going to die,” he told jurors.
He described driving away from the home while injured and bleeding. He said he stopped at a nearby gas station for help before eventually driving back to Middletown, where his sister called 911.
During cross-examination, the defense questioned the victim about his DoorDash experience. The victim testified that his employer did not provide any formal training and that he was not issued a uniform or ID. Additionally, he said he didn't see any warning that his iPhone 16 was about to die.
Barry's sister also testified Tuesday, becoming emotional on the stand as she described her brother arriving home bleeding and saying he had been shot and thought he was going to die.
The victim was hospitalized for 10 days after emergency surgery that required doctors to remove part of his intestine and left him with a colostomy bag for months. He later underwent additional surgeries and testified that he continues to deal with lasting effects from his injuries.
Reilly is charged with attempted murder, several assault charges and multiple weapons offenses.
The defense maintains Reilly believed his family was in danger and fired warning shots.
His wife is also facing charges, accused of tampering with physical evidence for allegedly deleting surveillance video after the shooting.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
