Armed DoorDash Driver Stops Attempted Carjacking in Georgia
MARTINEZ, Georgia – Tyler J. Reese walked away after a stranger shoved him outside a restaurant. Minutes later, the man allegedly threatened to steal his car and gun, then lunged through the open driver’s door. Reese fired three shots.
Columbia County investigators say the armed DoorDash driver acted in self-defense. Surveillance footage and witnesses support that finding. No charges are being filed against him.
For gun owners, the case illustrates why carrying matters: avoiding a confrontation does not guarantee an aggressor will let you leave.
Driver Walked Away Before the Attack Escalated
Reese, 26, of Augusta, was working a delivery shift on October 8 when he parked at West Town Shopping Center on Washington Road around 5:35 p.m.
According to the sheriff’s office account reported by AugustaCrime, a man approached as Reese got out and demanded that he “buy me a 20 piece.” Reese refused. The man shoved him.
Reese pushed him away and went inside the restaurant to collect his order. While Reese was inside, the man approached other customers near the Asian market, yelling aggressively and offering them $20. Witnesses could not explain what he wanted in return.
Witnesses and footage indicated the man was considerably larger than Reese. Around 5:38 p.m., Reese returned to his vehicle.
According to WRDW/Gray News, the man returned to Reese and repeated his demand. When Reese refused again, he threatened to take Reese’s vehicle and opened its front passenger door. Reese was seated behind the wheel. He displayed his firearm and told the man he did not want any more trouble.
Investigators say the man then threatened to take the firearm, went around the vehicle, and lunged through the open driver’s door.
Reese fired three rounds, striking him each time. He remained at the scene and identified himself to law enforcement.
Reese disengaged from the initial encounter. The reported attack continued despite his attempt to go about his work and his warning to leave him alone.
Investigators: “A Clear Case of Self-Defense”
The sheriff’s office subsequently identified the wounded man as Benjamin Robert Dasher, 29.
According to WJBF’s follow-up report, Dasher remained in intensive care with gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen. His treating physician expected him to survive, barring complications. No one else was injured.
Maj. Andy Shedd said investigators had surveillance footage and statements from multiple witnesses. After reviewing the evidence and interviewing Reese, Shedd described the shooting as “a clear case of self-defense.”
Authorities said Dasher would face a charge of criminal attempt–hijacking a motor vehicle upon his release from the hospital. Investigators planned to interview him when his condition allowed. The investigation remains open. No charges have been filed against Reese.
Working Americans Have a Right to Defend Themselves
Reese was earning a living when this encounter began. His decision to walk away should have ended it. According to investigators, the aggressor chose to escalate instead.
That matters when gun-control advocates treat carrying a firearm in public as inherently suspicious. A delivery driver’s need for self-defense does not end at his front door. His work takes him into parking lots, restaurants, and unfamiliar surroundings.
The Second Amendment protects his right to be armed there.
A citizen should not have to overpower a larger attacker to survive an assault. Reese had a firearm, used it when attacked, and investigators say the evidence supports him. That is armed self-defense doing exactly what gun owners understand it can do: giving an intended victim the means to fight back.
About Duncan Johnson:
Duncan Johnson is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and unwavering defender of the Second Amendment—where “shall not be infringed” means exactly what it says. A graduate of George Mason University, he enjoys competing in local USPSA and multi-gun competitions whenever he’s not covering the latest in gun rights and firearm policy. Duncan is a regular contributor and editor-in-chief for AmmoLand News and is responsible for AmmoLand’s daily gun-rights reporting and industry coverage.