Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, June 2, 2025, John Reilly III, age 48, of Chester, was arraigned in the Orange County Court on an indictment that charges him with Assault in the First Degree (two counts, a class B violent felony), Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a class B violent felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a class C violent felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a class D violent felony), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm (eight counts, a class E felony). The People requested that Reilly’s bail be increased in light of the indictment, but the Court ordered bail continued at $250,000 cash, $500,000 fully secured bond or $750,000 partially secured bond.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, in the evening of May 2, 2025, an unarmed food delivery driverwho was lost and whose phone battery had died walked up to Reilly’s residence in the Town of Chester with a bag of food, asking if Reilly had made the order. In response, Reilly ordered the man to leave and when the driver attempted to leave in his vehicle, Reilly emerged from his home with a shoulder holster and armed with a .45 caliber Glock pistol. Reilly racked the gun and discharged a round into the front lawn. As the victim attempted to leave in his vehicle, Reilly shot at the vehicle. Seconds later, Reilly again aimed the gun at the car and fired. A round pierced the vehicle and struck the victim in the lower back, causing devastating injuries. The .45 caliber projectile was recovered from the victim’s abdomen during emergency surgery, which resulted in the removal of over two (2) feet of the victim’s small bowel. A subsequent judicially-authorized search warrant was executed at Reilly’s residence which resulted in the recovery of .45 caliber casings in the kitchen and front lawn, the projectile from the front lawn, the shoulder holster and loaded .45 caliber Glock pistol, and seven (7) other illegally possessed pistols from the home. It was learned by law enforcement that while Reilly held a Federal Firearms License (FFL) in order to sell firearms, he had no New York State firearms license or pistol permit and therefore could not lawfully possess those guns in the State.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation which led to the arrest of the defendant. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who aided in the investigation.
“The unprovoked violence alleged in this case is truly horrifying,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “There is a reason that, as law enforcement in Orange County, we have such a particular focus on the illegal use of firearms. This case stands as yet another reminder of the awful consequences of these weapons, particularly when wielded in the manner allegedly seen in this case. As a community, we will not stand idly by and allow for the victimization of the voiceless at the hands of the emboldened.”
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold.
This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.