Delivery drivers have pretty dangerous jobs. Not only do they run the risk of being involved in a traffic accident, but even in the day and age of Apple Pay and Venmo, they can be targeted by armed robbers hoping to get their hands on cash, carjackers, and even random road ragers.
While some companies like UberEats prohibit their drivers from carrying a firearm on the job, DoorDash does not have a policy like that in place. And according to police in Columbia County, Georgia, an armed DoorDasher was forced to use their lawfully-carried gun in self-defense when he was accosted by a man in a parking lot.
At last report, 29-year-old Benjamin Dasher was in the intensive care unit after being shot in the abdomen and arm on Friday.
The shooting happened Thursday evening in the parking lot near Cho Ba Mien Asian Market and Formosa’s along the 3800 block of Washington Road.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Tyler J. Reese, 26, of Augusta, was working as a DoorDash driver and parked outside the businesses around 5:35 p.m.
Investigators say Dasher approached Reese after Reese got out of his vehicle and yelled for him to “buy me a 20 piece.” When Reese refused, investigators say Dasher shoved him.
Surveillance video captured the confrontation but did not record audio. Investigators also interviewed multiple witnesses who were at the shopping center.
Reese pushed Dasher away and went to Formosa’s to pick up his order, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Reese went inside the market to pick up an order. While Dasher allegedly accosted other people who were entering the establishment, when Reese left the business with food in hand, Dasher once again walked up to him and repeated his demands. As Reese got into the driver's seat, Dasher walked around the vehicle and opened the passenger door.
Reese was sitting in the driver’s seat and displayed a firearm, telling Dasher he did not want any more trouble and directing him to leave him alone, according to investigators.
The Sheriff’s Office says Dasher then said he would take the gun as well before quickly moving around the vehicle toward the driver’s side and lunging through the open door.
Reese fired three rounds, striking Dasher three times.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Maj. Andy Shedd says after examining video surveillance and speaking to eyewitnesses, it quickly became evident that the incident was "a clear case of self-defense."
The investigation is continuing, however, and Shedd says the department will be going through the video "frame by frame" just to make sure they didn't miss anything.
As for the motivation behind Dasher's actions, Shedd says that one of his family members told deputies the man started behaving "erratically and violently" while he was being driven home from work. Dasher allegedly demanded to be let out of the vehicle, and was dropped off at a nearby Walmart.
Authorities haven't said if Dasher accosted anyone else before he ran across the armed delivery driver, but they have revealed that the man will face charges of attempted hijacking of a motor vehicle after he's been released from the hospital.
If there's an underlying mental health issue that led Dasher to act irrationally and violently, I hope that he's able to get the help that he needs (preferably in a secure facility where he would pose no additional threat to the public). As for Mr. Reese, I'm thankful that he was able to protect himself when he needed to, and that he doesn't have to worry about losing his job just because he defended himself with a gun.
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